arctic circle

Arctic Circle — 1550s, in reference to a celestial circle, a line around the sky which, in any location, bounds the stars which are ever visible from that latitude (in the Northern Hemisphere, this is focused on the celestial north pole); the concept goes back… …   Etymology dictionary

Arctic Circle — Arctic Cir|cle the Arctic Circle an imaginary line around the world at a particular distance from the most northern point, which is the North Pole →↑Antarctic Circle …   Dictionary of contemporary English

Arctic Circle — [also a c ] an imaginary circle parallel to the equator, c. 66°34′ north of it: see LATITUDE …   English World dictionary

Arctic Circle — This article is about one of the five major circles of latitude. For other uses, see Arctic Circle (disambiguation). World map showing the Arctic Circle in red …   Wikipedia

Arctic Circle — noun a line of latitude near but to the south of the north pole; it marks the northernmost point at which the sun is visible on the northern winter solstice and the southernmost point at which the midnight sun can be seen on the northern summer… …   Useful english dictionary

Arctic Circle — an imaginary line drawn parallel to the equator, at 23°28prime; S of the North Pole: between the North Frigid Zone and the North Temperate Zone. See diag. under zone. * * * Parallel of latitude approximately 66. 5° north of the Equator that… …   Universalium

Arctic Circle — N PROPER: the N The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line drawn around the northern part of the world at approximately 66° North …   English dictionary

Arctic Circle —  Arctic Ocean, but arctic fox …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

arctic circle — noun The parallel of latitude that runs 66° 33′ 39″ north of the Equator. The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic …   Wiktionary

Arctic Circle — noun (singular) an imaginary line drawn around the world at a certain distance from the most northern point (the North Pole) compare Antarctic Circle …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

arctic circle — noun Usage: often capitalized A&C Date: 1622 the parallel of latitude that is approximately 66 1/2 degrees north of the equator and that circumscribes the northern frigid zone …   New Collegiate Dictionary