Definitions for: Tropic


[n] either of two parallels of latitude about 23.5 degrees 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
[adj] of weather or climate; hot and humid as in the tropics; "tropical weather"
[adj] relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator); "tropical islands"; "tropical fruit"



Webster (1913) Definition: Trop"ic, a. [Atropine + -ic.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from
atropine and certain other alkaloids, as a white crystalline
substance slightly soluble in water.


Trop"ic, n. [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.]
1. (Astron.) 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.

2. (Geog.)
(a) One of the two parallels of terrestrial latitude
corresponding to the celestial tropics, and called by
the same names.
(b) pl. The region lying between these parallels of
latitude, or near them on either side.

The brilliant flowers of the tropics bloom from
the windows of the greenhouse and the saloon.
--Bancroft.


Trop"ic, a.
Of or pertaining to the tropics; tropical.

Tropic bird (Zo["o]l.), any one of three species of oceanic
belonging to the genus Pha["e]thon, found chiefly in
tropical seas. They are mostly white, and have two central
tail feathers very long and slender. The yellow-billed
tropic bird. Pha["e]thon flavirostris (called also
boatswain), is found on the Atlantic coast of America,
and is common at the Bermudas, where it breeds.

Synonyms: equatorial, hot, tropical

See Also: latitude, line of latitude, parallel, parallel of latitude, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn

 Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals begin with m
x letter animals