/ ænˈtɑːktɪk; NAmE -ˈtɑːrk-/ noun
[ sing. ] the regions of the world around the South Pole
► Ant·arc·tic adjective [ only before noun ]:
Antarctic explorers
—compare Arctic
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French antartique or Latin antarcticus , from Greek antarktikos opposite to the north, from ant- against + arktikos , from arktos bear, Ursa Major, pole star.