adj. & n.
adj. 1 of the north polar regions. 2 (arctic) colloq. (esp. of weather) very cold.
n. 1 the Arctic regions. 2 (arctic) US a thick waterproof overshoe. Arctic Circle the parallel of latitude 66ø 33' N, forming an imaginary line round this region.
[ ME f. OF artique f. L ar(c)ticus f. Gk arktikos f. arktos bear, Ursa Major ]