TROPIC Definition & Meaning

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tropic

[ trop-ik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Geography.
1. either of two corresponding parallels of latitude on the terrestrial globe, one tropic of Cancer about 23½° N, and the other tropic of Capricorn about 23½° S of the equator, being the boundaries of the Torrid Zone.
2. the tropics, the regions lying between and near these parallels of latitude; the Torrid Zone and neighboring regions.
Astronomy. either of two circles on the celestial sphere, one lying in the same plane as the tropic of Cancer, the other in the same plane as the tropic of Capricorn.

adjective

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or occurring in the tropics; tropical:
romance under the tropic skies of Old Mexico.

-tropic

a combining form with the meanings “turned toward, with an orientation toward” that specified by the initial element ( geotropic ), “having an affinity for, affecting” what is specified ( lipotropic; neurotropic; psychotropic ), “affecting the activity of, maintaining” a specified organ ( gonadotropic ).

tropic

/ ˈ�ٰ�ɒ��ɪ�� /

noun

sometimes capital either of the parallel lines of latitude at about 23 1 2 °N ( tropic of Cancer ) and 23 1 2 °S ( tropic of Capricorn ) of the equator
the tropics
often capital that part of the earth's surface between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn; the Torrid Zone
astronomy either of the two parallel circles on the celestial sphere having the same latitudes and names as the corresponding lines on the earth

adjective

a less common word for tropical

-tropic

combining form

turning or developing in response to a certain stimulus
heliotropic

tropic

/ �ٰ�ŏ��′ĭ�� /

Either of the two parallels of latitude representing the points farthest north and south at which the Sun can shine directly overhead. The northern tropic is the Tropic of Cancer and the southern one is the Tropic of Capricorn .
tropics. The region of the Earth lying between these latitudes. The tropics are generally the warmest and most humid region of the Earth.
Also called Torrid Zone

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�Դǲ�·�ٰ��Ǳ�i�� adjective
�ܲ�·�ٰ��Ǳ�i�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of tropic¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin tropicus < Greek �ٰ��Ǳ辱��ó�� pertaining to a turn, equivalent to �ٰ�ó�� ( os ) turn + -ikos -ic

Origin of tropic²

tropic

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of tropic¹

C14: from Late Latin tropicus belonging to a turn, from Greek tropikos , from tropos a turn; from the ancient belief that the sun turned back at the solstices

Origin of tropic²

from Greek tropos a turn; see trope

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

At the beginning of March, southerly winds brought warmer air up from the tropics to bring above average temperatures across the UK.

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But Miocene-style hydrological or water cycles favor high altitude wind events, like cyclones and hurricanes, that transport heat and moisture evaporating from the tropics to higher latitudes, or California’s intense seasonal rainstorms.

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Located in the tropics, north Queensland is vulnerable to destructive cyclones, storms, and flooding.

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They are concerned that the ocean currents that bring warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic could weaken - or even collapse - in response to climate change.

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The storms coming from the tropics are warm, and it’s uncertain how much additional snow they will bring, Reising said.

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