arctic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
    North Frigid Zone; Arctic Zone.
  2. noun a waterproof overshoe that protects shoes from water or snow
    rubber; gumshoe; galosh; golosh.
  3. adjective satellite of or relating to the Arctic
    north-polar.
    • the Arctic summer
  4. adjective satellite extremely cold
    polar; icy; frigid; gelid; glacial.
    • an arctic climate
    • a frigid day
    • gelid waters of the North Atlantic
    • glacial winds
    • icy hands
    • polar weather

WordNet

Arc"tic adjective
Etymology
OE. artik, OF. artique, F. arctique, L. arcticus, fr. Gr. , fr. a bear, also a northern constellation so called; akin to L. ursus bear, Skr. ksha.
Definitions
  1. Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation called the Bear; northern; frigid; as, the arctic pole, circle, region, ocean; an arctic expedition, night, temperature. ✍ The arctic circle is a lesser circle, parallel to the equator, 23° 28' from the north pole. This and the antarctic circle are called the polar circles, and between these and the poles lie the frigid zones. See Zone.
Arc"tic noun
Definitions
  1. The arctic circle.
  2. A warm waterproof overshoe. U.S.

Webster 1913