tropic

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noun trop·ic \ 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 tropics or Tropics plural :the region lying between the tropics

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Examples of tropic in a Sentence

a vacation in the tropics

Origin and Etymology of tropic

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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tropic

adjective

Definition of tropic

:of, relating to, or occurring in the tropics

First Known Use of tropic

1624

tropic

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adjective tro·pic \ 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 and Etymology of tropic

trop-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1899

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-tropic

adjective combining form

Definition of -tropic

1 :turning, changing, or tending to turn or change in a (specified) manner or in response to a (specified) stimulus

geotropic

2 :attracted to or acting upon (something specified)

neurotropic

Origin and Etymology of -tropic

French -tropique, from Greek -tropos -tropous

TROPIC Defined for English Language Learners

tropic

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noun

Definition of tropic for English Language Learners

: either one of the two imaginary lines that circle the Earth to the north and south of the equator
the tropics : the part of the world that is near the equator where the weather is very warm

TROPIC Defined for Kids

tropic

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noun trop·ic \ ˈträ-pik \

Definition of tropic for Students

1 :either of two parallels of the earth's latitude of which one is about 23¹/₂ degrees north of the equator and the other about 23¹/₂ degrees south of the equator

2 tropics plural often capitalized :the region lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn