%arctic%

a. [ OE. artik, OF. artique, F. arctique, L. arcticus, fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; a bear, also a northern constellation so called; akin to L. ursus bear, Skr. &unr_;ksha. ] Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation called the Bear; northern; frigid; as, the arctic pole, circle, region, ocean; an arctic expedition, night, temperature. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 between these and the poles lie the frigid zones. See Zone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The arctic circle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A warm waterproof overshoe. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Holo- + arctic. ] Of or pert. to the arctic regions collectively; specif. (Zoögeography), designating a realm or region including the northern parts of the Old and the New World. It comprises the Palearctic and Nearctic regions or subregions. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ Neo + arctic. ] Of or pertaining to a region of the earth's surface including all of temperate and arctic North America and Greenland. In the geographical distribution of animals, this region is marked off as the habitat certain species. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Paleo- + arctic. ] Belonging to a region of the earth's surface which includes all Europe to the Azores, Iceland, and all temperate Asia. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_; beginning beforehand. fr. &unr_; to begin first; &unr_; before + &unr_; to begin; &unr_; intens. + &unr_; to begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ] (Med.) Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The words procatarctic causes have been used with different significations. Thus they have been employed synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and predisposing or remote causes. [ 1913 Webster ]

The physician inquires into the procatarctic causes. Harvey. [ 1913 Webster ]