See Also: Tropic Ice(recipes)
Tropic Air(tourism)
tropic(dictionary)
tropic(4)(dictionary)
tropic(3)(dictionary)
tropic(2)(dictionary)
Tropic(medicine)
Tropic Air flights(tourism)
Tropic Air code(tourism)
tropic hormones(medicine)

tropic(4) (iou)



tropic noun & adjective1. LME.
[Latin tropicus from Greek tropikos pertaining to the apparent turning of the sun at the solstice, tropical, from trope: see TROPIC adjective3.]
A. noun.
Astronomy.
a. = solstitial point s.v. SOLSTITIAL noun. LME-M17.
b. Either of two circles of the celestial sphere parallel to, and 23 26' north and south of, the celestial equator, and touching the ecliptic at the solstitial points. E16.
c. fig. A turning-point; a limit, a boundary. arch. M17.
a. Geography. Either of two parallels of latitude on the earth's surface corresponding to the celestial circles, 23 26' north and south of the equator, being the boundaries of the torrid zone. E16.
b. In pl. The region between (and about) these parallels; the torrid zone and parts immediately adjacent. M19.
Phrases: tropic of Cancer Astronomy & Geography the tropic 23 26' north of the (celestial or terrestrial) equator. tropic of Capricorn Astronomy & Geography the tropic 23 26' south of the (celestial or terrestrial) equator.
b. adjective.
Astronomy. Connected with the sun's apparent turning back towards the equator at the solstices; pertaining to either or both of the tropics. M16-E18.
Geography etc. = TROPICAL 3. L18.
tropic bird each of three tropical sea birds of the genus Phaethon and family Phaethontidae, which have usu. white plumage marked with long black tail streamers and highly aerial habits.
tropi'cana noun pl. [-ANA] things concerning or associated with tropical regions; objects from the tropics: M20.