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

Laureano, for example, relies heavily on imports from Canada: “Let’s say my arctic char, my cod loins.”

From Salon

Just as on land there are deserts, grasslands, rainforests and the arctic, so too in the deep sea there are numerous different ecosystems that differ by geography, temperature and the animals that live there.

From Salon

President Trump has repeatedly vowed to take control of Greenland, most recently telling NBC News on Sunday that he had not ruled out using military force to seize the arctic island.

From BBC

Its stated goal is to create herds of what it calls mammoth-like creatures to live in the arctic tundra.

From BBC

However, recently we have seen another surge of frigid arctic air across Canada and the US which has helped fire up a strong jet stream across the Atlantic.

From BBC