arcto-, arct- +
(Greek: of the bear, bear [the animal]; or the north, northern)
antarctic air
An air mass that develops its characteristics over the antarctic region.
antarctic anticyclone, antarctic high
A glacial anticyclone believed to overlie Antarctica.
Antarctic bottom water
A cold, saline water mass that sinks below the 12,000-foot level in the South Atlantic and flows north from the Antarctic land mass, sometimes reaching latitudes of 45 degrees north; characterized by temperatures around minus four degrees centigrade and salinity of about 34.66 parts per thousand.
The world's largest ocean current which circles the globe and feeds cold water into the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Antarctic, antarctic
1. The region around the South Pole; such as, Antarctica and the surrounding waters.
2. As antarctic, found in, coming from, or associated with this region.
2. As antarctic, found in, coming from, or associated with this region.
Most compound entries using this term may be spelled either Antarctic or antarctic.
Antarctical
A reference to the Soiuth Pole or the regions within the Antarctic Circle.
Antartica
1. An ice-covered continent lying mostly within the Antarctic Circle, with the South Pole near its center.
2. The uninhabited continent surrounding the South Pole, consisting of an ice-covered plateau and high mountain peaks with an area of 14,000,000 square kilometers (5,400,000 square miles).
2. The uninhabited continent surrounding the South Pole, consisting of an ice-covered plateau and high mountain peaks with an area of 14,000,000 square kilometers (5,400,000 square miles).
arctic air
An air mass, cold aloft and extending to great heights, whose characteristics develop mostly in winter over arctic surfaces of ice and snow.
Arctic Archipelago
A large group of islands in northeastern Canada between the Canadian mainland and Greenland.
Arctic Circle
In the Northern Hemisphere, the parallel of latitude that is equal to the complement of the summer solstice; due to steady variations in the obliquity of the summer solstice, the position of the Arctic Circle is constantly changing.
arctic climate, polar climate, snow climate
The climate of a polar region; usually one that is too cold to allow the growth of trees.
Arctic Convergence
The ill-defined polar convergence zone of the Northern Hemisphere.
arctic desert, polar desert
An area, especially in the polar regions, having little or no vegetation due to extremely cold temperatures.
Arctic fox, polar fox
A carnivorous mammal of the dog family known for its thick, white winter coat as well as a gray phase.
Arctic adaptations include rounded ears, a short muzzle, and fur-covered footpads.
arctic front
The semi-permanent, semi-continuous front between deeper, colder arctic air and shallower, less cold polar air of northern latitudes.
