Tropics
/ˈtrɒpɪks/noun
The regions of the Earth near the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek *tropikos*, tied to *tropos* meaning “turn” or “change,” so the Tropics were literally named for the Sun’s turning back at the solstices.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*trep-
“to turn, twist, or rotate”
Ancient Greek
Greek
tropos
“a turn, change, or manner”
Ancient Greek
Greek
tropikos
“pertaining to turning; of the solstices”
Late Latin
Latin
tropicus
“of the tropics; turning-point of the sun”
Middle English
English
tropik / tropics
“the tropical zones near the equator”
Modern English
English
tropics
“the regions of Earth between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn”