Arc″tic (�), a. [OE. artik, OF. artique, F. arctique, L. arcticus, fr. Gr. �, fr. � a bear, also a northern constellation so called; akin to L. ursus bear, Skr. �ksha.] Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation called the Bear; northern; frigid; as, the arctic pole, circle, region, ocean; an arctic expedition, night, temperature.
☞ The arctic circle is a lesser circle, parallel to the equator, 23° 28′ from the north pole. This and the antarctic circle are called the polar circles, and between these and the poles lie the frigid zones. See Zone.