antipodes

¹

[ an-tip-uh-deez ]

plural noun

1. places diametrically opposite each other on the globe.
2. those who dwell there.

Antipodes

²

[ an-tip-uh-deez ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. a group of islands SE of and belonging to New Zealand. 24 sq. mi. (62 sq. km).

antipodes

/ ænˈtɪpəˌdiːz; ænˌtɪpəˈdiːən /

plural noun

1. either or both of two points, places, or regions that are situated diametrically opposite to one another on the earth's surface, esp the country or region opposite one's own
2. the people who live there
3. the antipodes
   often capital Australia and New Zealand
4. sometimes functioning as singular the exact or direct opposite

antipodes

/ ăn-tĭp′ə-dēz′ /

1. Two places on directly opposite sides of the Earth, such as the North Pole and the South Pole.

antipodes

1. Two places on the globe that are exactly opposite each other; for example, the North Pole and South Pole .

Derived Forms

• antipodean, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• an·tip·o·de·an [an-tip-, uh, -, dee, -, uh, n], adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antipodes¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek (hoi) antípodes literally, “(those) with the feet opposite,” (plural of antípous ), equivalent to anti- “against, opposite” + -podes, nominative plural of poûs “foot”; foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of antipodes¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, plural of antipous having the feet opposite, from anti- + pous foot

Example Sentences

These two locales — one urban, one rural — would form the antipodes of his work.

From New York Times

The news from the antipodes helped provide direction to markets that had been drifting ahead of the release of minutes of the U.S.

From Reuters

One conservative – that Islam and Christianity are antipodes.

From Salon

The two-spheres theory as generally propounded makes antipodes impossible, as it confines all dry land within one hemisphere.

From Literature

I sometimes sign my emails to National Geographic editors, “Yours from the antipodes,” because that’s how it feels to be so distant from the centers of American and European influence.

From National Geographic