tropic

¹trop·ic

noun \ˈträ-pik\

Definition of TROPIC

1

: either of the two parallels of terrestrial latitude at a distance of about 23¹⁄₂ degrees north or south of the equator where the sun is directly overhead when it reaches its most northerly or southerly point in the sky — compare tropic of cancer, tropic of capricorn

2

plural often capitalized : the region lying between the tropics

Examples of TROPIC

1. a vacation in the tropics

Origin of TROPIC

Middle English tropik, from Latin tropicus of the solstice, from Greek tropikos, from tropē turn

First Known Use: 1527

Rhymes with TROPIC

topic

²tropic

adjective

Definition of TROPIC

: of, relating to, or occurring in the tropics

First Known Use of TROPIC

1551

³tro·pic

adjective \ˈtrō-pik\

Definition of TROPIC

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of tropism or of a tropism

2

of a hormone : influencing the activity of a specified gland

Origin of TROPIC

trop-

First Known Use: 1903

tro·pic

adjective \ˈtrō-pik\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TROPIC

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of tropism or of a tropism

2

of a hormone : influencing the activity of a specified gland