Ärct'ic, a.

a. [Lat. arcticus, Gr. ἀρκτικός, from ἄρκτος, a bear, and a northern constellation so called.] Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation called the Bear; as, the arctic pole, circle, region, or ocean.

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 within these lie the frigid zones.