Arctic

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈɑːk.tɪk/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈɑɹk.tɪk/
• Hyphenation: arc + tic

Origin

Old French artique, from Ancient Greek ἀρκτικός (arktikos, "of the bear, northern"), a reference to the northerly constellation Ursa Major, from ἄρκτος (arktos, "bear").

Full definition of arctic

Adjective

1. Being extremely cold, snowy, or having other properties of extreme winter associated with the Arctic.The food was kept very fresh by the arctic temperature setting of the freezer.

Derived terms

• arctic circle

Noun

1. (US) A warm waterproof overshoe.