anticyclone

[ an-tee-sahy-klohn, an-tahy- ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. a circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

anticyclone

/ ˌæntɪˈsaɪkləʊn; ˌæntɪsaɪˈklɒnɪk /

noun

1. meteorol a body of moving air of higher pressure than the surrounding air, in which the pressure decreases away from the centre. Winds circulate around the centre in a clockwise direction in the N hemisphere and anticlockwise in the S hemisphere Also calledhigh

anticyclone

/ ăn′tē-sī′klōn′,ăn′tī- /

1. A large-scale system of winds that spiral outward around a region of high atmospheric pressure. In the Northern Hemisphere the wind in an anticyclone moves clockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere it moves counterclockwise.
2. Compare cyclone

Derived Forms

• anticyclonic, adjective

Other Words From

• an·ti·cy·clon·ic [an-tee-sahy-, klon, -ik, an-tahy-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anticyclone¹

First recorded in 1875–80; anti- + cyclone

Example Sentences

High pressure, or an anticyclone, is currently influencing our weather.

From BBC

The results indicate that, although an anticyclone forms in the first two cases, it differs in terms of shape and dynamic properties from those of the present Great Red Spot.

From Science Daily

The culprit is a high-pressure anticyclone dubbed Cerberus - the multi-headed dog that guards gates to the underworld in Greek mythology.

From Washington Times

An anticyclone nicknamed Charon - who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead - could cause Europe to break its highest recorded temperature of 48.8C, possibly on the Italian island of Sardinia.

From Reuters

The culprit was a high-pressure anticyclone dubbed Cerberus, the multi-headed dog that guards gates to the underworld in Greek mythology.

From Seattle Times