antarctic
UK: ænˈtɑːktɪk | US: ænˈtɑːrktɪk
adj. relating to the region around the South Pole
n. (the Antarctic) the southern polar region
The word antarctic literally means "opposite of the Arctic." While arctic originates from the Greek word for "bear" (referencing the northern constellations), antarctic was coined to describe the southern polar region as the mirror counterpart. This reflects ancient Greek geographical logic, where the Arctic was the "land of the bear," and the Antarctic, unseen by them, was its theoretical opposite.
The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest single mass of ice on Earth.
Penguins are native to the Antarctic region.
Scientists study climate change by drilling ice cores in the Antarctic.
The Antarctic Treaty prohibits military activity on the continent.
Few plants survive the harsh Antarctic winters.