noun
tropic
TRO-pihk
noun
1
Either of the two lines of latitude, north or south of the equator, marking the edge of the tropical zone (Tropic of Cancer / Tropic of Capricorn).
"The ship crossed the Tropic of Cancer on its way south."
adjective
1
Relating to the tropics; tropical.
"The plant thrives in a tropic climate."
How to Use Tropic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the two latitude lines bounding the hot equatorial zone, or an adjective meaning the same as "tropical."
Easily confused with
Word Forms
more tropic comparative, tropics plural, most tropic superlative
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Etymology
From Ancient Greek tropikos, "of the solstice or a turning point," from tropē ("turn").