Arctic

[ahrk-tik, ahr-tik]

adjective

1. Sometimes arctic of, relating to, or located at or near the North Pole.

   the Arctic region.

2. Sometimes arctic coming from the North Pole or the Arctic region.

   an Arctic wind.

3. Often arctic suitable for use in the Arctic.

   Arctic boots.

4. Usually arctic characteristic of the extremely cold, snowy, windy weather north of the Arctic Circle; frigid; bleak.

   an arctic winter.

5. arctic, extremely cold in manner, atmosphere, etc..

   a look of arctic disdain.

noun

1. the Arctic, the region lying north of the Arctic Circle or of the northernmost limit of tree growth; the polar area north of the timberline.

2. arctics, warm, waterproof overshoes.

arctic

¹

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Arctic

   arctic temperatures

2. informal,  cold; freezing

   the weather at Christmas was arctic

noun

1. a high waterproof overshoe with buckles

2. (modifier) designed or suitable for conditions of extreme cold

   arctic clothing

Arctic

²

/ ˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. the regions north of the Arctic Circle

adjective

1. of or relating to the regions north of the Arctic Circle

Arctic

1. Region in the northernmost area of the Earth, centered on the North Pole.

The weather of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers.

The Arctic has been the object of much exploration by air, land, and sea. The shortest distance by plane between continents in the Northern Hemisphere is often over the Arctic.

Other Word Forms

• arctically adverb
• subarctic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arctic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikós “northern,” literally, “of the Bear,” equivalent to árkt(os), “bear” ( Ursa Major ) + -ikos -ic; replacing Middle English artik, from Middle French artique, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arctic¹

C14: from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos northern, literally: pertaining to (the constellation of) the Bear, from arktos bear

Example Sentences

The unblinking eye provides 360 degree coverage from the Arctic to North Africa, and from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.

From BBC

At the time of his death he had been in jail for three years on trumped-up charges and had recently been transferred to a penal colony in the Arctic Circle.

From BBC

Recorded after a US tour with the Arctic Monkeys, Romance saw Fontaines reach for a bigger audience without compromising their principles.

From BBC

Plans to fight climate change by manipulating the Arctic and Antarctic environment are dangerous, unlikely to work and could distract from the need to ditch fossil fuels, dozens of polar scientists have warned.

From BBC

A founder member of Nato, it shares an Arctic border with Russia and is part of the EU's single market but not a member state.

From BBC