tropic

¹

[ trop-ik ]

noun

1. Geography.
   1. either of two corresponding parallels of latitude on the terrestrial globe, one tropic of Cancer about 23½° N, and the other tropic of Capricorn about 23½° S of the equator, being the boundaries of the Torrid Zone.
   2. the tropics, the regions lying between and near these parallels of latitude; the Torrid Zone and neighboring regions.
2. Astronomy. either of two circles on the celestial sphere, one lying in the same plane as the tropic of Cancer, the other in the same plane as the tropic of Capricorn.

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or occurring in the tropics; tropical:

   romance under the tropic skies of Old Mexico.

-tropic

²

1. a combining form with the meanings “turned toward, with an orientation toward” that specified by the initial element ( geotropic ), “having an affinity for, affecting” what is specified ( lipotropic; neurotropic; psychotropic ), “affecting the activity of, maintaining” a specified organ ( gonadotropic ).

tropic

¹

/ ˈtrɒpɪk /

noun

1. sometimes capital either of the parallel lines of latitude at about 23 1 2 °N ( tropic of Cancer ) and 23 1 2 °S ( tropic of Capricorn ) of the equator
2. the tropics
   often capital that part of the earth's surface between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn; the Torrid Zone
3. astronomy either of the two parallel circles on the celestial sphere having the same latitudes and names as the corresponding lines on the earth

adjective

1. a less common word for tropical

-tropic

²

combining form

1. turning or developing in response to a certain stimulus

   heliotropic

tropic

/ trŏp′ĭk /

1. Either of the two parallels of latitude representing the points farthest north and south at which the Sun can shine directly overhead. The northern tropic is the Tropic of Cancer and the southern one is the Tropic of Capricorn .
2. tropics. The region of the Earth lying between these latitudes. The tropics are generally the warmest and most humid region of the Earth.
3. Also called Torrid Zone

Other Words From

• non·tropic adjective
• un·tropic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropic¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin tropicus < Greek tropikós pertaining to a turn, equivalent to tróp ( os ) turn + -ikos -ic

Origin of tropic²

tropic

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropic¹

C14: from Late Latin tropicus belonging to a turn, from Greek tropikos , from tropos a turn; from the ancient belief that the sun turned back at the solstices

Origin of tropic²

from Greek tropos a turn; see trope

Example Sentences

As Kirk moves north out of the tropics, it will eventually weaken over the cooler waters further north.

From BBC

“The fact that everything is still increasing is disconcerting. The most concerning part for me, though, is the potential for increased natural emissions, particularly in the tropics,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s because it tends to reduce wind shear in the tropics, enabling hurricanes to grow in strength, and keeps Atlantic Ocean water warm, which helps fuel storms.

From Los Angeles Times

“They are not common here in California,” Frable said, adding that the long, ribbon-like fish are periodically found on beaches around the world, more frequently in the tropics.

From Los Angeles Times

Oil palms thrive in the tropics, and their expanding footprint has led to extensive deforestation and biodiversity loss in some of the most ecologically sensitive rainforests on earth, especially in Southeast Asia.

From Salon