Arctic UK /ˈɑː(k).tɪk/US /ˈɑɹ(k).tɪk/adjective 4noun 3forms 2 adjective4 •Pertaining to the northern polar region of the planet, characterised by extreme cold and an icy landscape.What neede the artick people loue star-light, To whom the sunne shines both by day and night. — 1594 •Extremely cold, snowy, or having other properties of extreme winter associated with the climate of the Arctic.‘Could you close that window, please!’ Strickland called, dialling again. ‘It's bloody arctic down this end.’ — 1979 •Designed for use in very cold conditions. •[in compounds] Pertaining to the celestial north pole, or to the pole star. noun3 •A continental region consisting of the portion of the Earth north of the Arctic Circle, containing the North Pole.I’ve visited the world from arctic to ecliptic, as a surgeon does a hospital, and find all men sick of some distemper […] — 1772 •Any of various butterflies of the genus Oeneis. •(US, historical) A warm waterproof overshoe. formsArctics · arctics
