Definition of arctic
1 often capitalized : of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near it arctic waters arctic animals arctic clothing
2a : bitter cold : frigid arctic airb : cold in temper or mood an arctic smile
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Examples of arctic in a Sentence
The group is involved in Arctic exploration.
the arctic air of deep winter
Origin and Etymology of arctic
Middle English artik, from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos, from arktos bear, Ursa Major, north; akin to Latin ursus bear, Sanskrit ṛkṣa
First Known Use: circa 1540
Other Ecology Terms
Definition of arctic
: a rubber overshoe reaching to the ankle or above
1868
First Known Use of arctic
1868
Other Clothing Terms
ARCTIC Defined for English Language Learners
arctic
playDefinition of arctic for English Language Learners
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: of or relating to the North Pole or the region around it
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: very cold
ARCTIC Defined for Kids
arctic
playDefinition of arctic for Students
1 often cap : of or relating to the north pole or to the region around it arctic explorers
2 : very cold arctic temperatures
History for arctic
The Big Dipper is a group of stars in the northern sky. It looks like a dipper to us, but ancient people thought it looked like a large bear. The ancient Greeks gave it a name that meant “bear.” The English word arctic came from the Greek name for the Big Dipper. Because when we look at the Big Dipper we are looking toward the north, the word arctic refers to the region around the north pole.
Arctic
playDefinition of Arctic for Students
2 regions around the Arctic Circle
Learn More about arctic
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See words that rhyme with arctic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arctic Spanish Central: Translation of arctic Nglish: Translation of arctic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of arctic for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arctic
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