Antarctic
/ænˈtɑːrk.tɪk/noun
Relating to the region around the South Pole; extremely cold or frigid.
Did you know?The name comes from Greek astronomy: it marks the land opposite the constellations of the Bear, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, which were used to orient the northern sky.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
antarktikos
“opposite the north (Bear) region; southern”
Late Latin
Latin
antarcticus
“southern; opposite the Arctic”
Middle French
French
antarctique
“southern, Antarctic”
Late 16th Century
English
antarctic
“southern; pertaining to the region opposite the Arctic”
Modern English
English
Antarctic
“the region around the South Pole; relating to that region”