Ant-ärc'tic, a.

a. [Lat. antarcticus, Gr. ἀνταρκτικός, from ἀντί, against, opposite, and ἄρκτος, bear. See ARCTIC.] Opposite to the northern or arctic pole; relating to the southern pole or to the region near it, and applied especially to a circle, distant from the pole 23° 28'. Thus we say the antarctic pole, antarctic circle, or antarctic ocean.