ENGLISH
REFERENCE

antarctic

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //æˈnɑɹtɪk// UK //æntˈɑːktɪk// antarc·tic Archaic

adj. relating to the Antarctic region at the South Pole. You use this word to describe things found in that cold, icy part of the world.

adj. relating to the region surrounding the South Pole, including the continent and surrounding oceans. Often capitalised when referring to the specific geographic region.


SIMPLE

The Antarctic ice is very thick.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists study how climate change affects the Antarctic ecosystem.

COMPLEX

The expedition team braved the harsh Antarctic winter, enduring temperatures that dropped well below freezing for months on end.

Origin

From Middle English antartik, antartyk, from Middle French antartique, from Latin antarcticus, from Ancient Greek ἀνταρκτικός (antarktikós), from ἀντί (antí, “opposite”) + ἀρκτικός (arktikós, “Arctic”) + -ικός (-ikós, “-ic”). By surface analysis, anti- + Arctic.

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