Lexic.us

Definition of Tropic

1. Adjective. Relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator). "Tropical fruit"

2. Noun. Either of two parallels of latitude about 23.5 degrees to the north and south of the equator representing the points farthest north and south at which the sun can shine directly overhead and constituting the boundaries of the Torrid Zone or tropics.

3. Adjective. Of weather or climate; hot and humid as in the tropics. "Tropical weather"

Definition of Tropic

1. n. One of the two small circles of the celestial sphere, situated on each side of the equator, at a distance of 23° 28&min;, and parallel to it, which the sun just reaches at its greatest declination north or south, and from which it turns again toward the equator, the northern circle being called the Tropic of Cancer, and the southern the Tropic of Capricorn, from the names of the two signs at which they touch the ecliptic.

2. a. Of or pertaining to the tropics; tropical.

Definition of Tropic

1. Noun. one of two specific lines of latitude that divide the Northern and Southern hemispheres, respectively; the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. ¹

2. Noun. Either of the two parallels of latitude 23°27?north and south of the equator; the farthest points at which the sun can be directly overhead; the boundaries of the torrid zone or tropics. ¹

3. Adjective. Of, or relating to the tropics; tropical. ¹

4. Adjective. (qualifier weather climate) hot and humid. ¹

5. Adjective. (biochemistry) (''noncomparative'') Having the quality of indirectly inducing a biological or chemical change in a system or substrate. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Tropic

1. either of two circles of the celestial sphere on each side of the equator [n -S] : TROPICAL [adj]

Medical Definition of Tropic

1. 1. A turning toward, having an affinity for. Compare: -trophic. Origin: G. Trope, a turning 2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from atropine and certain other alkaloids, as a white crystalline substance slightly soluble in water. 3. One of the two small circles of the celestial sphere, situated on each side of the equator, at a distance of 23 deg 28 min, and parallel to it, which the sun just reaches at its greatest declination north or south, and from which it turns again toward the equator, the northern circle being called the Tropic of Cancer, and the southern the Tropic of Capricorn, from the names of the two signs at which they touch the ecliptic. 4. One of the two parallels of terrestrial latitude corresponding to the celestial tropics, and called by the same names. The region lying between these parallels of latitude, or near them on either side. 5. Tropic bird, any one of three species of oceanic belonging to the genus Phaethon, found chiefly in tropical seas. They are mostly white, and have two central tail feathers very long and slender. The yellow-billed tropic bird. Phaethon flavirostris (called also boatswain), is found on the Atlantic coast of America, and is common at the Bermudas, where it breeds. Origin: F. Tropique, L.tropicus of or belonging to a turn, i. E, of the sun, Gr. Of the solstice, (sc) the tropic or solstice, fr. To turn. See Trope. Source: Websters Dictionary (20 Jun 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tropic

trophotropic zone of Hess trophotropism trophozoite trophozoites trophy trophy case trophy veep trophy wife trophy wives trophying

trophyless trophylike trophæal tropia tropias tropic acid tropic acid dehydrogenase tropic bird tropic hormone tropic hormones

tropical tropical-storm tropical abscess tropical acne tropical anaemia tropical arc tropical boil tropical canine pancytopenia

Literary usage of Tropic

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Auk: Quarterly Journal of Ornithology by American Ornithologists' Union, Nuttall Ornithological Club (1901)
"So far it is the only tropic Bird I have been able to discover on lii, although there is little reason to doubt that both /'. ..."

2. North American Birds Eggs by Chester Albert Reed (1904)
"tropic Birds are Tern-like birds, having all the toes connected by a web, ... The tropic Birds are the most strikingly beautiful of all the sea birds; ..."

3. Recent Advances in Organic Chemistry by Alfred Walter Stewart (1920)
"tropic Acid, By the synthesis of tropine we have approached that of another alkaloid, atropine. This substance, when boiled with baryta water, ..."

4. Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge by Charles Knight (1837)
"The countries of South America, near the tropic of Capricorn, rise suddenly from the Atlantic Ocean to a considerable height, and take the form of high ..."

5. A Text-book of Pharmacology and Therapeutics by Arthur Robertson Cushny (1899)
"Atropine may be broken up by the action of alkalies into an alkaloid, trophic, and tropic acid. The former is a pyridine compound very closely allied to ..."

6. Guide to U.S. Army Museums by R. Cody Phillips (1997)
"tropic LIGHTNING MUSEUM Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Hours of Operation: 9:QO AM-4:00 PM Monday-Friday; closed on weekends and all federal holidays. ..."

Other Resources: