tropicn.adj.¹

Brit.

/ˈtrɒpɪk/, U.S.

/ˈtrɑpɪk/

Forms: late Middle English tropet (transmission error), late Middle English–1500s tropik, late Middle English–1600s tropike, late Middle English–1700s tropick, late Middle English– tropic, 1500s troppike, 1500s tropycque, 1500s tropycqwe, 1500s tropyk, 1500s tropyke, 1500s–1600s tropicke, 1500s–1600s tropique, 1600s troppicke.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French tropic; Latin tropicus.

Etymology: As noun < (i) Middle French tropic, tropicque, tropike, tropique (French tropique ) each of two circles of the celestial sphere that are parallel to the celestial equator and touch the ecliptic at the solstitial points (a1324), equinox (a1374), each of two parallels of latitude on the earth's surface corresponding to the celestial circles (1532; the use as plural noun in sense ‘the torrid zone’ (see sense A. 2b) is apparently not paralleled in French until later than in English: 1765), and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin tropicus solstitial point (4th or 5th cent.), use as noun (short for circulus tropicus tropic circle) of masculine of classical Latin tropicus, adjective (see below). As adjective < (iii) Middle French tropic, tropicque, tropike, tropique (French tropique ) (in grammar) of or relating to a trope (c1375), relating to the sun's change of direction at the solstices, relating to one or other tropic (in sense A. 1b or A. 1c) (1550 or earlier), and its etymon (iv) classical Latin tropicus of or belonging to a solstice or equinox, (in later use, in grammar) of or belonging to a figure of speech (2nd cent. a.d.) < ancient Greek τροπικός of or relating to the solstice, tropical, in Hellenistic Greek also of the nature of a trope, figurative < τροπή trope n. + -ικός -ic suffix. Compare Spanish trópico (a1428 as noun, 1490 as adjective), Portuguese trópico (15th cent. as noun; also as adjective), Italian tropico (a1406 as noun, a1639 as adjective; the usual adjective is tropicale tropical adj.).With the use as noun compare also ancient Greek τροπικός , masculine (short for τροπικὸς κύκλος tropic circle). In sense A. 3 after post-classical Latin Tropici, plural (1532 or earlier), itself after Byzantine Greek Τροπικοί (Athanasius). In sense A. 4 after post-classical Latin tropicae, plural (1637, in the passage translated in quot. 1697 at sense A. 4, or earlier), itself after Hellenistic Greek τροπικαί.

A. n.

I. Uses related to astronomy and geography.

1. Astronomy.

†a. Either of two signs of the zodiac, Cancer and Capricorn. Obsolete. rare.In the medieval period, the sun was in the sign of Cancer at the time of summer solstice (cf. sense A. 1b), and in Capricorn at the winter solstice. As a result of precession (precession n.² 1a), it is now in Taurus and Sagittarius, respectively, at these times.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > celestial sphere > zone of celestial sphere > particular signs > [noun] > Cancer

cankerOE

crabc1000

cancerc1392

tropicc1400

the world > the universe > celestial sphere > zone of celestial sphere > particular signs > [noun] > Capricorn

goatOE

Capricornc1400

tropicc1400

c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §17. 9 This signe of cancre is cleped the tropik of Somer, of tropos, þat is to seyn Agaynward, for thanne by-gynneth the sonne to passe fro vs-ward.

c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §17. 10 This signe of capricorne is also cleped the tropik [v.r. tropick] of wyntur, for thanne bygynnyth the sonne to come agayn to vs-ward.

b. Each of the two points on the celestial sphere at which the sun reaches its greatest distance north or south of the celestial equator and begins to move back towards it again; a solstitial point; (also) the time of year when the sun is at such a point, a solstice. In extended use also: either of the two equinoctial points or equinoxes.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > great circle > ecliptic > cardinal points > solstice

sunsteadOE

tropicc1450

tropic point1559

turn-point1587

principal point1591

solstice1601

c1450 in Mod. Philol. (1924) 21 390 (MED) Growyd out gylt tressys grete..More clere then bemes of phebus shene In the crabbe yn hys somer tropike.

c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 41 The rason of thir lang nychtis is be cause that the sune beand past the equinoctial touart the meridional tropic than it is al that tyme vndir the orizon of them that hes the northt pole for ther zenych.

1579 E. K. in E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Nov. 15 Gloss. The sonne draweth low..toward his Tropick or returne.

1662 T. Stanley Hist. Chaldaick Philos. 39 In Aries is the Spring Tropick, in Capricorn the Winter, in Cancer the Summer, in Libra the Autumnal.

1701 S. Wesley Hist. New Test. lxx. 126 Twice had the Sun to either Tropic driv'n His Golden Car, and view'd both Ends of Heav'n.

1785 W. Enfield Inst. Nat. Philos. 121 When the sun approaches the northern Tropic, there are several countries..which become hotter.

1832 Brit. Critic July 137 The mysterious signification of its rites with the sun's motion at the winter tropic.

1866 W. Hewson in Hebrew & Greek Script. (1870) 2 The beginning of the typical year of seven months was changed from the winter tropic to the vernal equinox.

1886 D. J. Medhora Zoroastrian & Some Other Anc. Syst. 44 In Aries, is the spring tropic;..in Libra, the autumnal.

1938 R. C. Taliaferro tr. Ptolemy Almagest i. v. 9 The increases from the equinox to the longest day in the summer tropics are equal to the decreases to the least days at the winter tropics.

2009 R. Hannah Time in Antiq. 70 These four ‘tropics’ signal the points at which the sun ‘turns’..in its apparent course from one half of the sky, across the celestial equator, on to the other half, and then back again, from one season to the next.

c. Each of two circles of the celestial sphere (the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn: see Phrases) that are parallel to the celestial equator and touch the ecliptic at a solstitial point.The two tropics are about 23° 26′ north and south of the celestial equator, but this figure changes slowly over the years and is at present decreasing.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > lesser circle > tropic

tropic1503

tropic line1577

tropic line1667

tropic circle1893

1503 tr. Kalendayr Shyppars sig. i i^v The other two [circles] ar namyt tropycqwes, the oon of sommer the other of wynter.

1555 R. Eden tr. G. F. de Oviedo y Valdés Summarie Gen. Hist. W. Indies in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 183^v The soonne..remaynynge continually betwene the two tropykes of Cancer and Capricorne.

1561 R. Eden tr. M. Cortés Arte Nauigation i. xv. sig. B viii The..Estiuall or sommer Tropyke.

1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 142 Other by the Dogges, do vnderstand the two Tropicks, which are..as it were the two porters of the sunne for the South and North.

1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated i. vi. 144 The Tropicks are Parallells bounding the Sunnes greatest declination.

1658 E. Waller On Cromwell's Death 21 Under the Tropick is our Language spoke.

1715 in W. Whiston Astron. Lect. viii. 88 Its Tangent..here is the same with the Tangent of the Tropic itself.

1837 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. I. 145 Where the sun's path touches the tropics.

1868 J. N. Lockyer Elem. Lessons Astron. (1879) iii. 65 At 23½° on either side of the equator are the Tropics.

1921 T. L. Heath tr. Ptolemy in Hist. Greek Math. II. 107 The distance between the tropics becomes..very nearly 11 parts out of 83.

2008 T. Heidarzadeh Hist. Physical Theories Comets i. 15 The chief reason, is the gathering of exhalations in the Milky Way region, which is outside of the tropics.

†d. figurative. A turning point; a limit, a boundary; an extreme. Obsolete.In quot. 1635 with a play on sense A. 2c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > [noun] > limit

markOE

measurea1375

bound1393

sizec1420

banka1425

limita1425

limitationa1475

stint1509

within one's tether?1523

confine1548

tropic?1594

scantling1597

gauge1600

mound1605

boundalsa1670

meta1838

parameter1967

?1594 M. Drayton Peirs Gaueston sig. E^v Now am I mounted with fames golden wings, And in the Tropick of my fortunes height.

1603 J. Davies Microcosmos 39 Now forwards run..Vntill thou touch the Tropicke of Reason.., there abide, For past that point to passe, is passing pride.

1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iii. vii. 151 Our equinoctiall hearts can never lie Secure, beneath the Tropicks of that eye.

a1639 H. Wotton Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 166 States have their Conversions and Periods as well as Naturall Bodies, and we were come to our Tropique.

1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 54 It was a Zodiacal Mercy... For Christ keeps within the Tropicks: He goes not out of the Pale of the Church.

1767 W. Harte Amaranth 141 Our genius, like our climate, ripens late. The fancy's solstice is at forty o'er, The tropic of our judgment sees three-score.

1836 N. Paterson Manse Garden i. 53 Let rest and fatigue be your tropics and you will travel with unabated vigour over the undulating line of your ecliptic.

a. Geography. Each of two parallels of latitude on the earth's surface corresponding to the celestial tropics (sense A. 1c) and similarly called the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn (see Phrases).

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > geodetic references > [noun] > latitude > tropic

tropica1527

tropic circle1556

tropic line1577

trope1735

a1527 R. Thorne in R. Hakluyt Divers Voy. (1582) sig. B4 From the tropickes to both the poles.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies ii. iv. 87 In Regions which lie without the Tropicks.

1650 J. Howell Addit. Lett. ix. 18 in Epistolæ Ho-elianæ (ed. 2) Our late Navigators..who use to cross the Equator and Tropiques so often.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 170. ¶13 It is a Misfortune for a Woman to be born betwixt the Tropicks.

a1781 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip III (1783) iii. 225 Countries..on this side of the northern tropic.

1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) xx. 356 The boundaries of these zones are called tropics.

1914 W. Buckman Under Southern Cross in S. Amer. xviii. 462 It has many features which recall the little Alp country down here in the latitude of the Southern tropic.

2005 K. P. Pfannes & C. P. van Schaik in D. K. Brockman & C. P. van Schaik Seasonality Primates ii. 24 They are confined approximately to the region between the tropics.

b. Geography. In plural with the. The region between and adjacent to these parallels; the torrid zone.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > region of the earth > zone or belt > [noun] > one of five > tropical

middle zone1565

torrid zone1590

tropic1598

torrid (burning, burnt, hot) zone1604

1598 Riddles of Heraclitus & Democritus Pref. sig. A^v In the Tropicks faire Of sunshine and cleere aire.

1653 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis (rev. ed.) xxiv. 477 There be nations out of the Tropicks, who by exercise and Art, come to such agility as the Nairo's have.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. v. 183 The heat in..the tropics must be much more troublesome and uneasy.

1837 W. Irving Adventures Capt. Bonneville III. 145 The Mississippi; whose rapid current traverses a succession of latitudes..in a few days..almost from the frozen regions to the tropics.

1876 R. W. Emerson Resources in Lett. & Social Aims 136 The tropics are one vast garden.

1938 Amer. Home Jan. 38/2 A desert cactus looking out through a window upon a New England blizzard may appear about as uncomfortable as an Eskimo in the tropics.

1986 J. A. Samson Trop. Fruits (ed. 2) xi. 319 Spondias mombin , yellow mombin or hog plum, is a very large forest tree of the American tropics.

2009 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 27 Apr. d8/3 Burgeoning warmth from the Tropics increases evaporation over the Gulf of Mexico.

c. figurative. In allusion to the (frequently excessive or oppressive) heat or luxuriant growth of the tropics.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > [noun] > great or intense heat > places of

tropic1600

furnace1744

oven?1796

1600 S. Nicholson Acolastus his After-witte sig. F4 For now in Tropicke of false Fortunes height..I sate too hot, yet still I did desire, To liue a Salamander in the fire.

1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper i. 38 The sixt Persecution..did so scorch within the Tropicks of the Church, that many thousands suffered.

1659 W. Chamberlayne Pharonnida iii. iii. 225 She swiftly hasts to tread Within Lusts Tropicks, her polluted Bed.

1853 Putnam's Mag. July 97/1 Of course the ‘cub of Ind’ has not basked in the tropic of her beauty unmoved, and declares his passion.

1893 N.Y. New-Church Messenger 19 Apr. 244 Mastodon-affections..swarming through the tropics of his soul.

1904 ‘M. Twain’ $30,000 Bequest (1906) 4 The moribund's progress toward the everlasting tropics.

1958 J. S. Redding Lonesome Road iv. 66 There was a frigid winter spot in the blazing tropics of her soul.

2010 B. MacRae So-called Sonnets 54 Lightning flashes across the roof of his mouth, a storm waging war in the tropics of his fever.

II. Uses related to trope n. I.

†3. = tropist n. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > sect > Christianity > Protestantism > [noun] > person

evangelical1532

gospeller1533

Protestant?1551

tropist1561

proculstant1589

tropic1607

evangelic1620

religionary1622

reformed1679

Prot1725

Prod1837

gospellist1845

right-footer1929

left-footer1933

Christian1951

Proddy Dog1954

Proddy-hopper1958

Proddy-woddy1959

Proddy1963

society > faith > sect > Christianity > other sects and movements > tropics > [noun]

tropic1607

1607 T. Rogers Faith, Doctr., & Relig. 23 Some affirme the holy Ghost to be but a meere creature, as did Arius,..the Tropickes, [etc.].

4. plural. With singular and plural agreement. Figurative or metaphorical uses of words; tropes. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > figure of speech > [noun]

tropeOE

figurec1386

image1550

scheme1553

noema1555

rhetorical figure1565

idea1642

tropics1697

feint1730

arabesque1821

1697 tr. F. Burgersdijck Monitio Logica i. xxvi. 104 The Change of the Word, from its proper Signification, as in the Tropicks [L. ut in tropicis].

1978 H. White Tropics of Disc. Introd. 2 Tropics is the process by which all discourse constitutes the objects which it pretends only to describe realistically and analyze objectively.

2006 R. Golan Loving Psychoanal. ii. iv. 67 The tropics are both the tropical regions and the tropics of rhetoric, like metaphor.

B. adj.¹

I. Uses related to astronomy and geography.

a. Astronomy. Designating a point or line on the celestial sphere marking or connected with a solstice; of the nature of a tropic (senses A. 1b, A. 1c): see tropic circle n. (b) at Compounds, tropic line n. (b) at Compounds, tropic point n. at Compounds. Cf. tropical adj. 1a.

ΚΠ

1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 24 These other two cyrcles..are called the twoo Tropike cyrcles after the greeke deriuation.

1559 [see tropic point n. at Compounds]. 1701 [see tropic point n. at Compounds]. 1886 [see tropic line n. at Compounds].

1961 Ann. Assoc. Amer. Geographers 51 204/1 The arctic, tropic, and equatorial circles throughout classical study remained part of the celestial grid.

2003 [see tropic circle n. at Compounds].

†b. Astronomy. Of or relating to a tropic (senses A. 1b, A. 1c). Cf. tropical adj. 1b. Obsolete. rare.tropic crab: the constellation Cancer.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [adjective]

tropica1593

a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1616) sig. C4^v He viewes the cloudes, the Planets, and the Starres, The Tropick, Zones.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 675 Som say the Sun Was bid turn Reines from th' Equinoctial Rode Like distant breadth to Taurus with the Seav'n Atlantick Sisters, and the Spartan Twins Up to the Tropic Crab.

†c. figurative. Of or relating to turning. Obsolete. rare. [In allusion to James 1:17: ‘with whom (sc. God the Father) there is no variablenesse, neither shadow of turning’ (King James Bible); the Greek original has παρ᾽ ᾦ οὺκ ἔνι παραλλαγὴ ἢ τροπῆς ὰποσκίασμα ‘with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change’ (R.S.V., N.R.S.V.).]

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > [adjective] > turning or able to face any direction

turnable1483

convertible1526

versable1623

various1629

versatile1658

tropic1677

orientable1912

1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. 258 It casts various shadows and causeth varietie of Seasons,..such is the ἀποσκίασμα or tropic shadow of the sun. But now the immutable God admits no such tropic shadows or variations.

2. Geography.

a. Designating a parallel of latitude corresponding to a celestial tropic; of the nature of a tropic ( A. 2a): see tropic circle n. (a) at Compounds, tropic line n. (a) at Compounds. Cf. tropical adj. 2a.

ΚΠ

1577 W. Harrison Descr. Scotl. xii. 16/1 in R. Holinshed Chron. I Hereby also we may see, how far they are deceyued whiche iudge them to be barbarous, & miserable creatures that inhabite far from the Tropike lines.

1658 [see tropic circle n. at Compounds]. 1893 [see tropic circle n. at Compounds]. 1941 [see tropic line n. at Compounds].

b. = tropical adj. 2b.Earliest in tropicbird n. at Compounds.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > region of the earth > zone or belt > [adjective] > tropical

tropic1624

tropical1671

intertropical1794

intratropical1811

subequatorial1841

1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia v. 171 The Tropicke bird is white, as large as a Pullet, with one onely long Feather in her taile, and is seldome seene far distant from other of the Tropicks.

1759 tr. M. Adanson Voy. Senegal 175 They did not throw water out of their nostrils, after the manner of all blowing whales, which are also very common in the tropic seas.

1799 W. Wordsworth Ruth vii No dolphin ever was so gay Upon the tropic sea.

1806 T. Maurice Fall of Mogul ii. iv. 53 Relentless as the tropic whirlwind's rage.

1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! xxv The rapid tropic vegetation has reclaimed its old domains.

1875 A. W. Bennett & W. T. T. Dyer tr. J. von Sachs Text-bk. Bot. 832 The vital conditions of all plants growing at a great elevation and in Arctic countries must be different from those growing in the lowlands of the Tropic and Temperate zones.

1908 Jrnl. Franklin Inst. 165 29 Even this climate, if you live as Dr. Gorgas lives, who follows the rules and obeys the laws of tropic nature,—becomes bearable.

1925 G. K. Chesterton Everlasting Man i. iv. 98 The myths are merely tall stories, though as tall as the sky, the waterspout, or the tropic rain.

2006 J. Hamilton-Paterson in Granta Summer 226 I first needed to rinse England off me in tropic seas and the jetstream of long flights.

c. figurative. = tropical adj. 2e.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > [adjective]

hotOE

anguishous?c1225

fire-burningc1275

burninga1340

ardentc1374

warm1390

fervent14..

fieryc1430

fired1561

feverous1576

glowinga1577

fervorous1602

ferventeda1627

tropica1631

torrid1646

fervid1656

candenta1687

ardurousa1770

tropical1795

aestuous1844

thermal1866

thermonous1888

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > hot weather > [adjective]

warmc888

hotOE

tropic1764

tropical1788

subtropical1829

shirtsleeve1877

Thermidorian1891

a1631 J. Donne Poems (1633) 151 This is her tolerable Tropique clyme.

1764 J. Grainger Sugar-cane i. 5 The Sun fiercely darts his tropic beam.

1802 W. Wordsworth We had a Female Passenger in Sonnets to Liberty 10 Yet still her [a negro's] eyes retained their tropic fire.

1865 J. G. Whittier Snow-bound 160 While the red logs before us beat The frost-line back with tropic heat.

1887 Daily News 29 June 5/2 Spring completely lost its way..and it was winter,..till this tropic time came upon us unawares.

1940 D. Powell Angels on Toast xiii. 156 Hers was no full luscious body, radiating tropic passion or even the natural vitality of youth.

1984 B. Heinrich In Patch of Fireweed viii. 101 The plains were a pea-green sea undulating in the gentle tropic wind.

2001 T. Winton Dirt Music 343 She found Mrs Jubail,..her breath a tropic foetor as she whispered, O Nurse, O Sister, and held her arm.

II. Uses related to trope n. I.

3. = tropical adj. 3.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > figure of speech > figures of meaning > [adjective] > characterized by metaphor > metaphorical or figurative

figurative14..

figural?a1500

translated1511

figurate1548

tropological1555

metaphorical1563

tropical1565

tropic1569

translate1582

allusory1587

translative1589

allusive1593

metaphoric1597

transumptive1597

transferent1614

translatitious1637

analogic1638

tralatitious1645

parabolic1696

tropologic1796

transitive1810

transferred1863

1569 W. Haywarde tr. A. Guarna Bellum Grammaticale sig. B.ij Herein is represented..two vnderstandings knit togither, the one proper and naturall, the other tropique and figured.

1688 tr. Diogenes Lives, Opinions & Sayings Anc. Philosophers vii. 585 The Third Syntax. Against those that never divide: of Ambiguities, one Book: of the Connexion of Tropic Amphibology: An Answer to Panthoedus concerning Ambiguities.

1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II. at Trope The Barrenness of Languages frequently obliges to make use of Tropick Expressions.

1844 Monthly Rev. Sept. 103 The non-alphabetical hieroglyphics are either figurative or symbolic, tropic or enigmatic.

1900 Amer. Anthropologist 2 625 The meanings of words are multiplied by this agency, for the same word may have different tropic meanings, or, as it is often expressed, words may have figurate meanings.

1973 M. C. J. Putnam Tibullus (1979) 139 The context demands that the verb be accepted in both its literal and tropic senses.

2006 J. B. Haviland in J. Gippert et al. Essent. Lang. Documentation vi. 159 Notoriously difficult even for well-studied languages is distinguishing between ‘literal’ and ‘figurative’ or tropic uses of words.

Phrases

tropic of Cancer n. (a) Astronomy the circle of the celestial sphere at about 23° 26′ north of the equator, touching the ecliptic at the northern solstitial point (cf. senses A. 1b and A. 1c); (b) Geography the parallel of latitude corresponding to this (cf. sense A. 2a). [Compare post-classical Latin tropicus cancri (1490 or earlier), Middle French tropic du Cancre (1432; also tropicque de cancer (1532)), Middle French, French tropique du cancer (1550; rare before 1680).]

ΚΠ

1542 N. Udall in tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes i. f. 141^v Syene (as Plinius in the secounde booke testifieth) is situate in zona torrida, so directely vnder the tropike of Cancer.

1623 G. de Malynes Center of Circle of Commerce 4 The fiue Zones or Girdles of this Terrestiall Globe, beginning from the Artike circle vnto the Tropicke of Cancer.

1698 tr. F. Froger Relation Voy. Coasts Afr. 3 At three o'clock in the morning we passed the tropick of Cancer..and in the afternoon performed the ceremonies of Tropical baptism or duckings.

1789 G. Adams Astron. & Geogr. Ess. 496 The tropic of Cancer, from the western edge of the horizon, passes under the arm of Hercules.

1853 J. Tabor Epitome Astron. i. 14 At the pole, the equinoctial will coincide with the horizon, and the tropic of Cancer will be parallel to it.

1925 Science 5 June (Suppl.) p. x/2 The nova is in the constellation of Pictor..which can never be seen from points north of the Tropic of Cancer.

2001 M. Isler Sticks, Stones, & Shadows v. 132 Nabta Playa being located on the Tropic of Cancer, the behavior of the sun becomes doubly interesting.

tropic of Capricorn n. (a) Astronomy the circle of the celestial sphere at about 23° 26′ south of the equator, touching the ecliptic at the southern solstitial point (cf. senses A. 1b and A. 1c); (b) Geography the parallel of latitude corresponding to this (cf. sense A. 2a). [Compare post-classical Latin tropicus capricorni (1490 or earlier), Middle French, French †tropique de capricorne (1546 or earlier), French tropique du capricorne (1680).]

ΚΠ

c1550 Complaynt Scotl. f. 42 And fra tyme..the sune be past the equinoctial touart the meridian tropic of capricorn.

1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated i. ix. 209 The Tropicke of Capricorne: which ends the Torrid zone, and beginnes the South Temperate zone.

1747 Philos. Trans. 1746 (Royal Soc.) 44 142 The Sun's rays will be as oblique..as they are at London, when he touches the Tropic of Capricorn in December.

1867 E. B. Denison Astron. without Math. (ed. 3) 37 The tropic of Capricorn, which the sun reaches in our winter and the southern midsummer.

1917 Amer. Math. Monthly 24 166 To obtain these, divide the Tropic of Capricorn into twelve equal arcs.

2001 Smithsonian Jan. 87/1 Harper..followed the Tropic of Capricorn across the continent with just three camels and a dog.

Compounds

tropicbird n. any of three oceanic seabirds constituting the genus Phaethon and family Phaethontidae, found in tropical regions, and having predominantly white plumage and very long central tail feathers.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > birds > order Pelecaniformes > [noun] > member of family Phaethontidae (tropic bird)

tropicbird1624

boatswain1815

marlinspike1858

long-tail1859

star-tail1862

boatswain bird1867

bosun bird1888

wig-tail1888

bosun1899

1624Tropicke bird [see sense B. 2b].

1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. iii. 482 The Tropic Bird..breeds on the most desolate rocks and lonely islands, and is often seen at very considerable distances from land.

1825 C. Waterton Wanderings in S. Amer. ii. 90 Sometimes..the tropic bird comes near enough to let you have a fair view of the long feathers in his tail.

1897 Westm. Gaz. 20 Aug. 2/1 Further on..we found a rookery of many thousands of the superb red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton phœnicurus).

1968 J. K. Terres How Birds Fly (1987) xii. 105 Oceanic soaring albatrosses, frigate birds, tropic birds, gannets, and gulls.

2008 Daily Tel. 3 Dec. 8/7 The red-billed tropicbird..hails from the West Indies and eastern Pacific.

tropic circle n. (a) Geography = sense A. 2a; (b) Astronomy = sense A. 1c. [Compare post-classical Latin circulus tropicus (13th cent. in a British source), Byzantine Greek τροπικὸς κύκλος, Middle French, French cercle tropique (1550 or earlier).]

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > geodetic references > [noun] > latitude > tropic

tropica1527

tropic circle1556

tropic line1577

trope1735

the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > lesser circle > tropic

tropic1503

tropic line1577

tropic line1667

tropic circle1893

1556Tropic circle [see sense B. 1a].

1658 J. Robinson Endoxa x. 56 They that dwell between the Arctick and Tropick Circles, have, on each side, the same temper both of Sun and Soil, yet under divers Constellations.

1780 W. Smellie tr. Comte de Buffon Nat. Hist. Gen. & Particular I. 237 In America, the Cordeliers..lie precisely under the equator, and they extend on both sides a considerable way beyond the Tropic circles.

1893 Philos. Trans. 1892 (Royal Soc.) A. 183 660 The eastward velocity of the Earth at either of the tropic circles is less than that at the Equator by about 87 miles per hour.

2003 A. Jones in B. Inwood Stoics 329 The ecliptic..is another circle, also bisecting the sphere but tilted with respect to the celestial equator, and tangent to the two tropic circles at opposite points.

tropic crow n. now historical (probably) the Hawaiian crow, Corvus hawaiiensis, which is now extinct in the wild in Hawaii and survives only in captivity.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > larger song birds > family Corvidae (crow) > [noun] > genus Corvus > other types of

hooded crow?a1513

tropic crow1781

temia1809

fish-crow1812

scapulated raven1869

pied crow1897

1781 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds I. i. 384 Tropic Crow. Length twelve inches and a half..From O-wy-hee..in the South Seas.

1810 Encycl. Londinensis V. 239/2 Corvus Tropicus, the Tropic Crow: length twelve inches and a half; bill broad at the base, and the tips of both mandibles notched.

1959 Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Historical Ser. 1 324 Latham's Tropic Crow, Corvus tropicus Gmelin, 1788,..was said to be a bird from Hawaii with no crest or rackets and with a rounded tail.

2006 M. J. Walters Sacred Raven vi. 46 Latham's descriptions of the Tropic Crow had struck ornithologists as peculiar.

tropic grape n. [after French raisin du tropique (1785 or earlier; 1814 in the passage translated in quot. 1814)] now rare any of several brown seaweeds of the genus Sargassum (sargassum n.) which occur in large masses in warm and temperate seas and have rounded grape-like air-bladders on their stems; = sea-grape n. 6.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > particular plants > algae > seaweed > [noun] > gulf-weed

sargasso1598

sea-lentil1633

gulf-weed1674

sea-thistle1703

tropic grape1814

sea-grape1825

sargasso weed1830

Gulf-Stream weed1884

sargassum1905

sargassum weed1928

1814 H. M. Williams tr. A. von Humboldt Personal Narr. Trav. II. 9 The tropic grape [Fr. le raisin du Tropique] fucus natans..grows on submarine rocks.

1850 A. Pratt Chapters Common Things Sea-side ii. 111 The Seagrape is an olive-green weed, with long slender leaves, and berries about as large as a pea, from which it derived its name of Tropic Grape.

1916 Harper’s Monthly Mag. Apr. 656/2 We were now well into the Gulf Stream. Its blue water was patched with yellowish seaweed, the ‘tropic grape’ (fucus natans) of Humboldt, strung out in long lines by the wind.

tropic line n. (a) Geography = sense A. 2a; (b) Astronomy = sense A. 1c. [Compare French ligne tropique (1595 or earlier in Middle French), post-classical Latin linea tropica (1598 or earlier).]

ΚΠ

1577Tropic line [see sense B. 2a].

1668 J. Dryden Sr Martin Mar-all v. 61 I have seen your Hurricanoes, and your Calentures, and your Eclipticks, and your Tropick Lines.

1787 J. Richardson Key to Geogr. iii. 128 Fix the Globe again, look for the same Tropic Line, and make another mark, with a Pencil, against the Edge of the Horizon.

1886 G. Smith Atla xxix. 172 The sun has crossed the tropic line, He rests at Aries' double bars.

1941 Auk 58 474 Nesting occurs all the way from the tropic line across the temperate zone and beyond the arctic circle.

2008 Observer Bk. Earth 34 The imaginary Tropic lines searing their way above and below the equator on any modern map mark the point at which the Sun is directly overhead at noon on the two annual solstices.

tropic point n. = sense A. 1b. [Compare post-classical Latin punctus tropicus (1496 or earlier).]

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > great circle > ecliptic > cardinal points > solstice

sunsteadOE

tropicc1450

tropic point1559

turn-point1587

principal point1591

solstice1601

1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 36 These circles [sc. colures] also are drawne by the .ij. tropike pointes, deuiding the eclipticke in two equall partes.

1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 76 When the Sun is in the 1. degree of Gemini, he is as far from the Tropick point of Cancer, as when he is in 29. degrees of Cancer.

1701 Acct. Life in T. Stanley Hist. Philos. (ed. 3) sig. b Stanley,..thinks his Gnomon did only note the Tropick and Equinoctial Points.

1896 A. Quiller-Couch Poems & Ballads by ‘Q’ 52 Had I not heard Perchance of latitudes when the wheel of the sun Kept the sea boiling? Of the tropic point Where white men turned hop-skip to blackamoors?

1990 R. M. Durling & R. L. Martinez Time & Crystal 123 The procedure alludes to the tropic points, the movements of conversio in the sun's motion.

2006 R. Beck Relig. Mithras Cult ix. 220 The lunar quartering effects for the Moon what the standard quartering by tropic points effects for the Sun.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	tropic
释义	tropicn.adj.¹ Brit. /ˈtrɒpɪk/, U.S. /ˈtrɑpɪk/ Forms: late Middle English tropet (transmission error), late Middle English–1500s tropik, late Middle English–1600s tropike, late Middle English–1700s tropick, late Middle English– tropic, 1500s troppike, 1500s tropycque, 1500s tropycqwe, 1500s tropyk, 1500s tropyke, 1500s–1600s tropicke, 1500s–1600s tropique, 1600s troppicke. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French tropic; Latin tropicus. Etymology: As noun < (i) Middle French tropic, tropicque, tropike, tropique (French tropique ) each of two circles of the celestial sphere that are parallel to the celestial equator and touch the ecliptic at the solstitial points (a1324), equinox (a1374), each of two parallels of latitude on the earth's surface corresponding to the celestial circles (1532; the use as plural noun in sense ‘the torrid zone’ (see sense A. 2b) is apparently not paralleled in French until later than in English: 1765), and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin tropicus solstitial point (4th or 5th cent.), use as noun (short for circulus tropicus tropic circle) of masculine of classical Latin tropicus, adjective (see below). As adjective < (iii) Middle French tropic, tropicque, tropike, tropique (French tropique ) (in grammar) of or relating to a trope (c1375), relating to the sun's change of direction at the solstices, relating to one or other tropic (in sense A. 1b or A. 1c) (1550 or earlier), and its etymon (iv) classical Latin tropicus of or belonging to a solstice or equinox, (in later use, in grammar) of or belonging to a figure of speech (2nd cent. a.d.) < ancient Greek τροπικός of or relating to the solstice, tropical, in Hellenistic Greek also of the nature of a trope, figurative < τροπή trope n. + -ικός -ic suffix. Compare Spanish trópico (a1428 as noun, 1490 as adjective), Portuguese trópico (15th cent. as noun; also as adjective), Italian tropico (a1406 as noun, a1639 as adjective; the usual adjective is tropicale tropical adj.).With the use as noun compare also ancient Greek τροπικός , masculine (short for τροπικὸς κύκλος tropic circle). In sense A. 3 after post-classical Latin Tropici, plural (1532 or earlier), itself after Byzantine Greek Τροπικοί (Athanasius). In sense A. 4 after post-classical Latin tropicae, plural (1637, in the passage translated in quot. 1697 at sense A. 4, or earlier), itself after Hellenistic Greek τροπικαί. A. n. I. Uses related to astronomy and geography. 1. Astronomy. †a. Either of two signs of the zodiac, Cancer and Capricorn. Obsolete. rare.In the medieval period, the sun was in the sign of Cancer at the time of summer solstice (cf. sense A. 1b), and in Capricorn at the winter solstice. As a result of precession (precession n.² 1a), it is now in Taurus and Sagittarius, respectively, at these times. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > celestial sphere > zone of celestial sphere > particular signs > [noun] > Cancer cankerOE crabc1000 cancerc1392 tropicc1400 the world > the universe > celestial sphere > zone of celestial sphere > particular signs > [noun] > Capricorn goatOE Capricornc1400 tropicc1400 c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §17. 9 This signe of cancre is cleped the tropik of Somer, of tropos, þat is to seyn Agaynward, for thanne by-gynneth the sonne to passe fro vs-ward. c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §17. 10 This signe of capricorne is also cleped the tropik [v.r. tropick] of wyntur, for thanne bygynnyth the sonne to come agayn to vs-ward. b. Each of the two points on the celestial sphere at which the sun reaches its greatest distance north or south of the celestial equator and begins to move back towards it again; a solstitial point; (also) the time of year when the sun is at such a point, a solstice. In extended use also: either of the two equinoctial points or equinoxes. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > great circle > ecliptic > cardinal points > solstice sunsteadOE tropicc1450 tropic point1559 turn-point1587 principal point1591 solstice1601 c1450 in Mod. Philol. (1924) 21 390 (MED) Growyd out gylt tressys grete..More clere then bemes of phebus shene In the crabbe yn hys somer tropike. c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 41 The rason of thir lang nychtis is be cause that the sune beand past the equinoctial touart the meridional tropic than it is al that tyme vndir the orizon of them that hes the northt pole for ther zenych. 1579 E. K. in E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Nov. 15 Gloss. The sonne draweth low..toward his Tropick or returne. 1662 T. Stanley Hist. Chaldaick Philos. 39 In Aries is the Spring Tropick, in Capricorn the Winter, in Cancer the Summer, in Libra the Autumnal. 1701 S. Wesley Hist. New Test. lxx. 126 Twice had the Sun to either Tropic driv'n His Golden Car, and view'd both Ends of Heav'n. 1785 W. Enfield Inst. Nat. Philos. 121 When the sun approaches the northern Tropic, there are several countries..which become hotter. 1832 Brit. Critic July 137 The mysterious signification of its rites with the sun's motion at the winter tropic. 1866 W. Hewson in Hebrew & Greek Script. (1870) 2 The beginning of the typical year of seven months was changed from the winter tropic to the vernal equinox. 1886 D. J. Medhora Zoroastrian & Some Other Anc. Syst. 44 In Aries, is the spring tropic;..in Libra, the autumnal. 1938 R. C. Taliaferro tr. Ptolemy Almagest i. v. 9 The increases from the equinox to the longest day in the summer tropics are equal to the decreases to the least days at the winter tropics. 2009 R. Hannah Time in Antiq. 70 These four ‘tropics’ signal the points at which the sun ‘turns’..in its apparent course from one half of the sky, across the celestial equator, on to the other half, and then back again, from one season to the next. c. Each of two circles of the celestial sphere (the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn: see Phrases) that are parallel to the celestial equator and touch the ecliptic at a solstitial point.The two tropics are about 23° 26′ north and south of the celestial equator, but this figure changes slowly over the years and is at present decreasing. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > lesser circle > tropic tropic1503 tropic line1577 tropic line1667 tropic circle1893 1503 tr. Kalendayr Shyppars sig. i i^v The other two [circles] ar namyt tropycqwes, the oon of sommer the other of wynter. 1555 R. Eden tr. G. F. de Oviedo y Valdés Summarie Gen. Hist. W. Indies in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 183^v The soonne..remaynynge continually betwene the two tropykes of Cancer and Capricorne. 1561 R. Eden tr. M. Cortés Arte Nauigation i. xv. sig. B viii The..Estiuall or sommer Tropyke. 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 142 Other by the Dogges, do vnderstand the two Tropicks, which are..as it were the two porters of the sunne for the South and North. 1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated i. vi. 144 The Tropicks are Parallells bounding the Sunnes greatest declination. 1658 E. Waller On Cromwell's Death 21 Under the Tropick is our Language spoke. 1715 in W. Whiston Astron. Lect. viii. 88 Its Tangent..here is the same with the Tangent of the Tropic itself. 1837 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. I. 145 Where the sun's path touches the tropics. 1868 J. N. Lockyer Elem. Lessons Astron. (1879) iii. 65 At 23½° on either side of the equator are the Tropics. 1921 T. L. Heath tr. Ptolemy in Hist. Greek Math. II. 107 The distance between the tropics becomes..very nearly 11 parts out of 83. 2008 T. Heidarzadeh Hist. Physical Theories Comets i. 15 The chief reason, is the gathering of exhalations in the Milky Way region, which is outside of the tropics. †d. figurative. A turning point; a limit, a boundary; an extreme. Obsolete.In quot. 1635 with a play on sense A. 2c. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > [noun] > limit markOE measurea1375 bound1393 sizec1420 banka1425 limita1425 limitationa1475 stint1509 within one's tether?1523 confine1548 tropic?1594 scantling1597 gauge1600 mound1605 boundalsa1670 meta1838 parameter1967 ?1594 M. Drayton Peirs Gaueston sig. E^v Now am I mounted with fames golden wings, And in the Tropick of my fortunes height. 1603 J. Davies Microcosmos 39 Now forwards run..Vntill thou touch the Tropicke of Reason.., there abide, For past that point to passe, is passing pride. 1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iii. vii. 151 Our equinoctiall hearts can never lie Secure, beneath the Tropicks of that eye. a1639 H. Wotton Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 166 States have their Conversions and Periods as well as Naturall Bodies, and we were come to our Tropique. 1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 54 It was a Zodiacal Mercy... For Christ keeps within the Tropicks: He goes not out of the Pale of the Church. 1767 W. Harte Amaranth 141 Our genius, like our climate, ripens late. The fancy's solstice is at forty o'er, The tropic of our judgment sees three-score. 1836 N. Paterson Manse Garden i. 53 Let rest and fatigue be your tropics and you will travel with unabated vigour over the undulating line of your ecliptic. 2. a. Geography. Each of two parallels of latitude on the earth's surface corresponding to the celestial tropics (sense A. 1c) and similarly called the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn (see Phrases). ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > geodetic references > [noun] > latitude > tropic tropica1527 tropic circle1556 tropic line1577 trope1735 a1527 R. Thorne in R. Hakluyt Divers Voy. (1582) sig. B4 From the tropickes to both the poles. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies ii. iv. 87 In Regions which lie without the Tropicks. 1650 J. Howell Addit. Lett. ix. 18 in Epistolæ Ho-elianæ (ed. 2) Our late Navigators..who use to cross the Equator and Tropiques so often. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 170. ¶13 It is a Misfortune for a Woman to be born betwixt the Tropicks. a1781 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip III (1783) iii. 225 Countries..on this side of the northern tropic. 1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) xx. 356 The boundaries of these zones are called tropics. 1914 W. Buckman Under Southern Cross in S. Amer. xviii. 462 It has many features which recall the little Alp country down here in the latitude of the Southern tropic. 2005 K. P. Pfannes & C. P. van Schaik in D. K. Brockman & C. P. van Schaik Seasonality Primates ii. 24 They are confined approximately to the region between the tropics. b. Geography. In plural with the. The region between and adjacent to these parallels; the torrid zone. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > region of the earth > zone or belt > [noun] > one of five > tropical middle zone1565 torrid zone1590 tropic1598 torrid (burning, burnt, hot) zone1604 1598 Riddles of Heraclitus & Democritus Pref. sig. A^v In the Tropicks faire Of sunshine and cleere aire. 1653 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis (rev. ed.) xxiv. 477 There be nations out of the Tropicks, who by exercise and Art, come to such agility as the Nairo's have. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. v. 183 The heat in..the tropics must be much more troublesome and uneasy. 1837 W. Irving Adventures Capt. Bonneville III. 145 The Mississippi; whose rapid current traverses a succession of latitudes..in a few days..almost from the frozen regions to the tropics. 1876 R. W. Emerson Resources in Lett. & Social Aims 136 The tropics are one vast garden. 1938 Amer. Home Jan. 38/2 A desert cactus looking out through a window upon a New England blizzard may appear about as uncomfortable as an Eskimo in the tropics. 1986 J. A. Samson Trop. Fruits (ed. 2) xi. 319 Spondias mombin , yellow mombin or hog plum, is a very large forest tree of the American tropics. 2009 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 27 Apr. d8/3 Burgeoning warmth from the Tropics increases evaporation over the Gulf of Mexico. c. figurative. In allusion to the (frequently excessive or oppressive) heat or luxuriant growth of the tropics. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > [noun] > great or intense heat > places of tropic1600 furnace1744 oven?1796 1600 S. Nicholson Acolastus his After-witte sig. F4 For now in Tropicke of false Fortunes height..I sate too hot, yet still I did desire, To liue a Salamander in the fire. 1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper i. 38 The sixt Persecution..did so scorch within the Tropicks of the Church, that many thousands suffered. 1659 W. Chamberlayne Pharonnida iii. iii. 225 She swiftly hasts to tread Within Lusts Tropicks, her polluted Bed. 1853 Putnam's Mag. July 97/1 Of course the ‘cub of Ind’ has not basked in the tropic of her beauty unmoved, and declares his passion. 1893 N.Y. New-Church Messenger 19 Apr. 244 Mastodon-affections..swarming through the tropics of his soul. 1904 ‘M. Twain’ $30,000 Bequest (1906) 4 The moribund's progress toward the everlasting tropics. 1958 J. S. Redding Lonesome Road iv. 66 There was a frigid winter spot in the blazing tropics of her soul. 2010 B. MacRae So-called Sonnets 54 Lightning flashes across the roof of his mouth, a storm waging war in the tropics of his fever. II. Uses related to trope n. I. †3. = tropist n. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > faith > sect > Christianity > Protestantism > [noun] > person evangelical1532 gospeller1533 Protestant?1551 tropist1561 proculstant1589 tropic1607 evangelic1620 religionary1622 reformed1679 Prot1725 Prod1837 gospellist1845 right-footer1929 left-footer1933 Christian1951 Proddy Dog1954 Proddy-hopper1958 Proddy-woddy1959 Proddy1963 society > faith > sect > Christianity > other sects and movements > tropics > [noun] tropic1607 1607 T. Rogers Faith, Doctr., & Relig. 23 Some affirme the holy Ghost to be but a meere creature, as did Arius,..the Tropickes, [etc.]. 4. plural. With singular and plural agreement. Figurative or metaphorical uses of words; tropes. rare. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > figure of speech > [noun] tropeOE figurec1386 image1550 scheme1553 noema1555 rhetorical figure1565 idea1642 tropics1697 feint1730 arabesque1821 1697 tr. F. Burgersdijck Monitio Logica i. xxvi. 104 The Change of the Word, from its proper Signification, as in the Tropicks [L. ut in tropicis]. 1978 H. White Tropics of Disc. Introd. 2 Tropics is the process by which all discourse constitutes the objects which it pretends only to describe realistically and analyze objectively. 2006 R. Golan Loving Psychoanal. ii. iv. 67 The tropics are both the tropical regions and the tropics of rhetoric, like metaphor. B. adj.¹ I. Uses related to astronomy and geography. 1. a. Astronomy. Designating a point or line on the celestial sphere marking or connected with a solstice; of the nature of a tropic (senses A. 1b, A. 1c): see tropic circle n. (b) at Compounds, tropic line n. (b) at Compounds, tropic point n. at Compounds. Cf. tropical adj. 1a. ΚΠ 1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 24 These other two cyrcles..are called the twoo Tropike cyrcles after the greeke deriuation. 1559 [see tropic point n. at Compounds]. 1701 [see tropic point n. at Compounds]. 1886 [see tropic line n. at Compounds]. 1961 Ann. Assoc. Amer. Geographers 51 204/1 The arctic, tropic, and equatorial circles throughout classical study remained part of the celestial grid. 2003 [see tropic circle n. at Compounds]. †b. Astronomy. Of or relating to a tropic (senses A. 1b, A. 1c). Cf. tropical adj. 1b. Obsolete. rare.tropic crab: the constellation Cancer. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [adjective] tropica1593 a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1616) sig. C4^v He viewes the cloudes, the Planets, and the Starres, The Tropick, Zones. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 675 Som say the Sun Was bid turn Reines from th' Equinoctial Rode Like distant breadth to Taurus with the Seav'n Atlantick Sisters, and the Spartan Twins Up to the Tropic Crab. View more context for this quotation †c. figurative. Of or relating to turning. Obsolete. rare. [In allusion to James 1:17: ‘with whom (sc. God the Father) there is no variablenesse, neither shadow of turning’ (King James Bible); the Greek original has παρ᾽ ᾦ οὺκ ἔνι παραλλαγὴ ἢ τροπῆς ὰποσκίασμα ‘with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change’ (R.S.V., N.R.S.V.).] ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > [adjective] > turning or able to face any direction turnable1483 convertible1526 versable1623 various1629 versatile1658 tropic1677 orientable1912 1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. 258 It casts various shadows and causeth varietie of Seasons,..such is the ἀποσκίασμα or tropic shadow of the sun. But now the immutable God admits no such tropic shadows or variations. 2. Geography. a. Designating a parallel of latitude corresponding to a celestial tropic; of the nature of a tropic ( A. 2a): see tropic circle n. (a) at Compounds, tropic line n. (a) at Compounds. Cf. tropical adj. 2a. ΚΠ 1577 W. Harrison Descr. Scotl. xii. 16/1 in R. Holinshed Chron. I Hereby also we may see, how far they are deceyued whiche iudge them to be barbarous, & miserable creatures that inhabite far from the Tropike lines. 1658 [see tropic circle n. at Compounds]. 1893 [see tropic circle n. at Compounds]. 1941 [see tropic line n. at Compounds]. b. = tropical adj. 2b.Earliest in tropicbird n. at Compounds. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > region of the earth > zone or belt > [adjective] > tropical tropic1624 tropical1671 intertropical1794 intratropical1811 subequatorial1841 1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia v. 171 The Tropicke bird is white, as large as a Pullet, with one onely long Feather in her taile, and is seldome seene far distant from other of the Tropicks. 1759 tr. M. Adanson Voy. Senegal 175 They did not throw water out of their nostrils, after the manner of all blowing whales, which are also very common in the tropic seas. 1799 W. Wordsworth Ruth vii No dolphin ever was so gay Upon the tropic sea. 1806 T. Maurice Fall of Mogul ii. iv. 53 Relentless as the tropic whirlwind's rage. 1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! xxv The rapid tropic vegetation has reclaimed its old domains. 1875 A. W. Bennett & W. T. T. Dyer tr. J. von Sachs Text-bk. Bot. 832 The vital conditions of all plants growing at a great elevation and in Arctic countries must be different from those growing in the lowlands of the Tropic and Temperate zones. 1908 Jrnl. Franklin Inst. 165 29 Even this climate, if you live as Dr. Gorgas lives, who follows the rules and obeys the laws of tropic nature,—becomes bearable. 1925 G. K. Chesterton Everlasting Man i. iv. 98 The myths are merely tall stories, though as tall as the sky, the waterspout, or the tropic rain. 2006 J. Hamilton-Paterson in Granta Summer 226 I first needed to rinse England off me in tropic seas and the jetstream of long flights. c. figurative. = tropical adj. 2e. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > [adjective] hotOE anguishous?c1225 fire-burningc1275 burninga1340 ardentc1374 warm1390 fervent14.. fieryc1430 fired1561 feverous1576 glowinga1577 fervorous1602 ferventeda1627 tropica1631 torrid1646 fervid1656 candenta1687 ardurousa1770 tropical1795 aestuous1844 thermal1866 thermonous1888 the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > hot weather > [adjective] warmc888 hotOE tropic1764 tropical1788 subtropical1829 shirtsleeve1877 Thermidorian1891 a1631 J. Donne Poems (1633) 151 This is her tolerable Tropique clyme. 1764 J. Grainger Sugar-cane i. 5 The Sun fiercely darts his tropic beam. 1802 W. Wordsworth We had a Female Passenger in Sonnets to Liberty 10 Yet still her [a negro's] eyes retained their tropic fire. 1865 J. G. Whittier Snow-bound 160 While the red logs before us beat The frost-line back with tropic heat. 1887 Daily News 29 June 5/2 Spring completely lost its way..and it was winter,..till this tropic time came upon us unawares. 1940 D. Powell Angels on Toast xiii. 156 Hers was no full luscious body, radiating tropic passion or even the natural vitality of youth. 1984 B. Heinrich In Patch of Fireweed viii. 101 The plains were a pea-green sea undulating in the gentle tropic wind. 2001 T. Winton Dirt Music 343 She found Mrs Jubail,..her breath a tropic foetor as she whispered, O Nurse, O Sister, and held her arm. II. Uses related to trope n. I. 3. = tropical adj. 3. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > figure of speech > figures of meaning > [adjective] > characterized by metaphor > metaphorical or figurative figurative14.. figural?a1500 translated1511 figurate1548 tropological1555 metaphorical1563 tropical1565 tropic1569 translate1582 allusory1587 translative1589 allusive1593 metaphoric1597 transumptive1597 transferent1614 translatitious1637 analogic1638 tralatitious1645 parabolic1696 tropologic1796 transitive1810 transferred1863 1569 W. Haywarde tr. A. Guarna Bellum Grammaticale sig. B.ij Herein is represented..two vnderstandings knit togither, the one proper and naturall, the other tropique and figured. 1688 tr. Diogenes Lives, Opinions & Sayings Anc. Philosophers vii. 585 The Third Syntax. Against those that never divide: of Ambiguities, one Book: of the Connexion of Tropic Amphibology: An Answer to Panthoedus concerning Ambiguities. 1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II. at Trope The Barrenness of Languages frequently obliges to make use of Tropick Expressions. 1844 Monthly Rev. Sept. 103 The non-alphabetical hieroglyphics are either figurative or symbolic, tropic or enigmatic. 1900 Amer. Anthropologist 2 625 The meanings of words are multiplied by this agency, for the same word may have different tropic meanings, or, as it is often expressed, words may have figurate meanings. 1973 M. C. J. Putnam Tibullus (1979) 139 The context demands that the verb be accepted in both its literal and tropic senses. 2006 J. B. Haviland in J. Gippert et al. Essent. Lang. Documentation vi. 159 Notoriously difficult even for well-studied languages is distinguishing between ‘literal’ and ‘figurative’ or tropic uses of words. Phrases tropic of Cancer n. (a) Astronomy the circle of the celestial sphere at about 23° 26′ north of the equator, touching the ecliptic at the northern solstitial point (cf. senses A. 1b and A. 1c); (b) Geography the parallel of latitude corresponding to this (cf. sense A. 2a). [Compare post-classical Latin tropicus cancri (1490 or earlier), Middle French tropic du Cancre (1432; also tropicque de cancer (1532)), Middle French, French tropique du cancer (1550; rare before 1680).] ΚΠ 1542 N. Udall in tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes i. f. 141^v Syene (as Plinius in the secounde booke testifieth) is situate in zona torrida, so directely vnder the tropike of Cancer. 1623 G. de Malynes Center of Circle of Commerce 4 The fiue Zones or Girdles of this Terrestiall Globe, beginning from the Artike circle vnto the Tropicke of Cancer. 1698 tr. F. Froger Relation Voy. Coasts Afr. 3 At three o'clock in the morning we passed the tropick of Cancer..and in the afternoon performed the ceremonies of Tropical baptism or duckings. 1789 G. Adams Astron. & Geogr. Ess. 496 The tropic of Cancer, from the western edge of the horizon, passes under the arm of Hercules. 1853 J. Tabor Epitome Astron. i. 14 At the pole, the equinoctial will coincide with the horizon, and the tropic of Cancer will be parallel to it. 1925 Science 5 June (Suppl.) p. x/2 The nova is in the constellation of Pictor..which can never be seen from points north of the Tropic of Cancer. 2001 M. Isler Sticks, Stones, & Shadows v. 132 Nabta Playa being located on the Tropic of Cancer, the behavior of the sun becomes doubly interesting. tropic of Capricorn n. (a) Astronomy the circle of the celestial sphere at about 23° 26′ south of the equator, touching the ecliptic at the southern solstitial point (cf. senses A. 1b and A. 1c); (b) Geography the parallel of latitude corresponding to this (cf. sense A. 2a). [Compare post-classical Latin tropicus capricorni (1490 or earlier), Middle French, French †tropique de capricorne (1546 or earlier), French tropique du capricorne (1680).] ΚΠ c1550 Complaynt Scotl. f. 42 And fra tyme..the sune be past the equinoctial touart the meridian tropic of capricorn. 1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated i. ix. 209 The Tropicke of Capricorne: which ends the Torrid zone, and beginnes the South Temperate zone. 1747 Philos. Trans. 1746 (Royal Soc.) 44 142 The Sun's rays will be as oblique..as they are at London, when he touches the Tropic of Capricorn in December. 1867 E. B. Denison Astron. without Math. (ed. 3) 37 The tropic of Capricorn, which the sun reaches in our winter and the southern midsummer. 1917 Amer. Math. Monthly 24 166 To obtain these, divide the Tropic of Capricorn into twelve equal arcs. 2001 Smithsonian Jan. 87/1 Harper..followed the Tropic of Capricorn across the continent with just three camels and a dog. Compounds tropicbird n. any of three oceanic seabirds constituting the genus Phaethon and family Phaethontidae, found in tropical regions, and having predominantly white plumage and very long central tail feathers. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > order Pelecaniformes > [noun] > member of family Phaethontidae (tropic bird) tropicbird1624 boatswain1815 marlinspike1858 long-tail1859 star-tail1862 boatswain bird1867 bosun bird1888 wig-tail1888 bosun1899 1624Tropicke bird [see sense B. 2b]. 1756 P. Browne Civil & Nat. Hist. Jamaica ii. iii. 482 The Tropic Bird..breeds on the most desolate rocks and lonely islands, and is often seen at very considerable distances from land. 1825 C. Waterton Wanderings in S. Amer. ii. 90 Sometimes..the tropic bird comes near enough to let you have a fair view of the long feathers in his tail. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 20 Aug. 2/1 Further on..we found a rookery of many thousands of the superb red-tailed tropic bird (Phaeton phœnicurus). 1968 J. K. Terres How Birds Fly (1987) xii. 105 Oceanic soaring albatrosses, frigate birds, tropic birds, gannets, and gulls. 2008 Daily Tel. 3 Dec. 8/7 The red-billed tropicbird..hails from the West Indies and eastern Pacific. tropic circle n. (a) Geography = sense A. 2a; (b) Astronomy = sense A. 1c. [Compare post-classical Latin circulus tropicus (13th cent. in a British source), Byzantine Greek τροπικὸς κύκλος, Middle French, French cercle tropique (1550 or earlier).] ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > geodetic references > [noun] > latitude > tropic tropica1527 tropic circle1556 tropic line1577 trope1735 the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > lesser circle > tropic tropic1503 tropic line1577 tropic line1667 tropic circle1893 1556Tropic circle [see sense B. 1a]. 1658 J. Robinson Endoxa x. 56 They that dwell between the Arctick and Tropick Circles, have, on each side, the same temper both of Sun and Soil, yet under divers Constellations. 1780 W. Smellie tr. Comte de Buffon Nat. Hist. Gen. & Particular I. 237 In America, the Cordeliers..lie precisely under the equator, and they extend on both sides a considerable way beyond the Tropic circles. 1893 Philos. Trans. 1892 (Royal Soc.) A. 183 660 The eastward velocity of the Earth at either of the tropic circles is less than that at the Equator by about 87 miles per hour. 2003 A. Jones in B. Inwood Stoics 329 The ecliptic..is another circle, also bisecting the sphere but tilted with respect to the celestial equator, and tangent to the two tropic circles at opposite points. tropic crow n. now historical (probably) the Hawaiian crow, Corvus hawaiiensis, which is now extinct in the wild in Hawaii and survives only in captivity. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > larger song birds > family Corvidae (crow) > [noun] > genus Corvus > other types of hooded crow?a1513 tropic crow1781 temia1809 fish-crow1812 scapulated raven1869 pied crow1897 1781 J. Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds I. i. 384 Tropic Crow. Length twelve inches and a half..From O-wy-hee..in the South Seas. 1810 Encycl. Londinensis V. 239/2 Corvus Tropicus, the Tropic Crow: length twelve inches and a half; bill broad at the base, and the tips of both mandibles notched. 1959 Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Historical Ser. 1 324 Latham's Tropic Crow, Corvus tropicus Gmelin, 1788,..was said to be a bird from Hawaii with no crest or rackets and with a rounded tail. 2006 M. J. Walters Sacred Raven vi. 46 Latham's descriptions of the Tropic Crow had struck ornithologists as peculiar. tropic grape n. [after French raisin du tropique (1785 or earlier; 1814 in the passage translated in quot. 1814)] now rare any of several brown seaweeds of the genus Sargassum (sargassum n.) which occur in large masses in warm and temperate seas and have rounded grape-like air-bladders on their stems; = sea-grape n. 6. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > particular plants > algae > seaweed > [noun] > gulf-weed sargasso1598 sea-lentil1633 gulf-weed1674 sea-thistle1703 tropic grape1814 sea-grape1825 sargasso weed1830 Gulf-Stream weed1884 sargassum1905 sargassum weed1928 1814 H. M. Williams tr. A. von Humboldt Personal Narr. Trav. II. 9 The tropic grape [Fr. le raisin du Tropique] fucus natans..grows on submarine rocks. 1850 A. Pratt Chapters Common Things Sea-side ii. 111 The Seagrape is an olive-green weed, with long slender leaves, and berries about as large as a pea, from which it derived its name of Tropic Grape. 1916 Harper’s Monthly Mag. Apr. 656/2 We were now well into the Gulf Stream. Its blue water was patched with yellowish seaweed, the ‘tropic grape’ (fucus natans) of Humboldt, strung out in long lines by the wind. tropic line n. (a) Geography = sense A. 2a; (b) Astronomy = sense A. 1c. [Compare French ligne tropique (1595 or earlier in Middle French), post-classical Latin linea tropica (1598 or earlier).] ΚΠ 1577Tropic line [see sense B. 2a]. 1668 J. Dryden Sr Martin Mar-all v. 61 I have seen your Hurricanoes, and your Calentures, and your Eclipticks, and your Tropick Lines. 1787 J. Richardson Key to Geogr. iii. 128 Fix the Globe again, look for the same Tropic Line, and make another mark, with a Pencil, against the Edge of the Horizon. 1886 G. Smith Atla xxix. 172 The sun has crossed the tropic line, He rests at Aries' double bars. 1941 Auk 58 474 Nesting occurs all the way from the tropic line across the temperate zone and beyond the arctic circle. 2008 Observer Bk. Earth 34 The imaginary Tropic lines searing their way above and below the equator on any modern map mark the point at which the Sun is directly overhead at noon on the two annual solstices. tropic point n. = sense A. 1b. [Compare post-classical Latin punctus tropicus (1496 or earlier).] ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > celestial sphere > circle of celestial sphere > [noun] > great circle > ecliptic > cardinal points > solstice sunsteadOE tropicc1450 tropic point1559 turn-point1587 principal point1591 solstice1601 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 36 These circles [sc. colures] also are drawne by the .ij. tropike pointes, deuiding the eclipticke in two equall partes. 1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 76 When the Sun is in the 1. degree of Gemini, he is as far from the Tropick point of Cancer, as when he is in 29. degrees of Cancer. 1701 Acct. Life in T. Stanley Hist. Philos. (ed. 3) sig. b Stanley,..thinks his Gnomon did only note the Tropick and Equinoctial Points. 1896 A. Quiller-Couch Poems & Ballads by ‘Q’ 52 Had I not heard Perchance of latitudes when the wheel of the sun Kept the sea boiling? Of the tropic point Where white men turned hop-skip to blackamoors? 1990 R. M. Durling & R. L. Martinez Time & Crystal 123 The procedure alludes to the tropic points, the movements of conversio in the sun's motion. 2006 R. Beck Relig. Mithras Cult ix. 220 The lunar quartering effects for the Moon what the standard quartering by tropic points effects for the Sun. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). tropicadj.² Brit. /ˈtrəʊpɪk/, U.S. /ˈtroʊpɪk/ Origin: Formed within English, by derivation; modelled on a German lexical item. Etymons: tropine n., -ic suffix. Etymology: < trop- (in tropine n.) + -ic suffix, after German Tropasäure (W. Lossen 1866, in Ann. der Chem. u. Pharm. 138 231). Compare French tropique (in acide tropique : 1867 or earlier; after German). Compare slightly earlier atropic adj. at atropine n. Derivatives. Chemistry. tropic acid n. a crystalline acid formed with tropine by hydrolysis of atropine.Systematic name: 3-hydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid; C₉H₁₀O₃. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > chemistry > organic chemistry > organic acids > [noun] > miscellaneous other organic acids melilithic acid1803 melanic acid1822 fulminic acid1824 sulphovinic acid1826 xanthic acid1831 alcoothionic acid1834 althionic acid1834 naphthalic acid1837 murexan1838 oxalhydric acid1838 pimelic acid1838 pyruvic acid1838 thionuric acid1838 glucic acid1840 sericic acid1841 anthranilic acid1842 acrylic acid1843 ulmin1843 rhoeadic acid1846 alizaric acid1848 thiacetic acid1854 fulminuric acid1855 phthalic acid1857 anchoic acid1858 graphitic acid1864 tropic acid1867 thymotic acid1868 octoic acid1881 nucleinic acid1893 polyphosphoric acid1895 hydnocarpic acid1905 glucuronic acid1909 octanoic acid1909 Reinecke acid1928 propenoic acid1948 lipoic acid1951 picloram1965 wyerone acid1970 1867 Proc. Amer. Pharmaceut. Assoc. 15th Ann. Meeting 245 The statement of Kraut, that atropia is..split into tropia and atropic acid, is corrected by W. Lossen, who finds that it is split into tropia and three acids... He names these acids tropic acid (C₁₈H₁₀O₆), atropic acid..and isatropic acid. 1922 J. J. Sudborough Bernthsen's Text-bk. Org. Chem. (new ed.) xl. 587 Similarly, atropine..on hydrolysis yields tropic acid and tropine. 1939 Amer. Jrnl. Surg. 46 353/2 This [sc. a new antispasmodic agent] is the 3-diethyl-amino-2, 2-dimethyl-propanol ester of tropic acid. 2001 F. Sandberg & D. Corrigan Nat. Remedies vi. 49/2 These alkaloids are from a structural point of view, esters between the alcohols such as tropine..and aromatic acids, mainly tropic acid. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). tropicadj.³ Brit. /ˈtrəʊpɪk/, U.S. /ˈtroʊpɪk/ Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: -tropic comb. form. Etymology: < -tropic comb. form.In sense 2 after German tropisch (1889 or earlier in this sense); compare earlier geotropic adj., heliotropic adj., etc., and slightly earlier tropism n. With sense 3 compare earlier gonadotrophic adj., thyrotropic adj. at thyro- comb. form 2, etc., and trophic adj. 1b, and compare the following comment on the source of quot. 1937 at sense 3:1938 Lancet 28 May 1234/2 In a book published last year Prof. Burn contended that in endocrinological usage the termination tropic is less suitable than trophic... Tropic means ‘turning towards’, whereas trophic means ‘nourishing’. 1. Medicine. Exhibiting or characterized by specific biochemical or immunological affinity; spec. = opsonic adj. Compare neurotropic adj. 1. Now rare or disused. ΘΚΠ the world > life > biology > substance > process stimulators or inhibitors > antibody > [adjective] > types of antibody tropic1898 cytophil1902 cytophilic1902 opsonic1903 tuberculo-opsonic1905 opsonoid1907 opsonocytophagic1910 reaginic1931 anti-nuclear1958 1898 Lancet 20 Aug. 514/2 In like manner the disintegrating forces which were brought to bear upon the cellular protoplasm were represented by the chemical affinity of the protoplasmic tropic substances for the constituent elements of the cellular protoplasm. 1908 Jrnl. Infectious Dis. 5 2 They found that the serum from a patient with paratyphoid fever and sera of animals immunized with paratyphoid bacilli may contain opsonin, or tropic substances, as they say, but no lysin for paratyphoid bacilli. 1912 Jrnl. Hygiene 12 192 Removal of the mid-piece from a fresh immune typhoid serum, greatly increases the tropic action of the latter when used in high concentrations. 1939 R. Heffron Pneumonia iv. 117 Other studies of opsonic or tropic action have been made. 2. Biology. Of, relating to, or of the nature of tropism. ΘΚΠ the world > life > biology > biological processes > movement > movement in response to stimuli > [adjective] > turning tropic1899 tropistic1903 klinokinetic1940 1899 C. B. Davenport Exper. Morphol. II. xi. 335 The object of this investigation is always to find in how far the direction of these tropic movements is determined or is determinable by external agents. 1903 T. H. Morgan Evol. & Adapt. xi. 399 Another instinct, that appears to be due to a tropic response, is the definite time of day at which some marine animals deposit their eggs. 1963 A. C. Leopold Auxins & Plant Growth (new ed.) i. 5 Darwin's simple and logical experiments, using canary-grass seedlings, a light source and a razor blade, told him that the tip of the shoot is involved in the overall tropic response. 2009 W. G. Hopkins & N. P. A. Hüner Introd. Plant Physiol. (ed. 4) xxiii. 391/2 Tropic responses are directionally related to the stimulus such as light [etc.] 3. Physiology. = trophic adj. 1b. ΚΠ 1936 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 15 Feb. 327/2 Dr. Marks also referred to the ‘tropic’ action of the pituitary on the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal medulla. 1937 Postgraduate Med. Jrnl. 13 405 With the ‘tropic’ hormones, continuous therapy may be ineffectual, owing to the production in the body of anti-hormonic substances, which render the ‘tropic’ hormones inactive. 1965 J. Lee & F. Knowles Animal Hormones ii. 19 The hormones secreted by the adenohypophysis may be divided into those which control the secretion of other endocrine glands and are named trophic (or tropic) hormones; the remainder act without the mediation of another endocrine gland. 2012 L. Sherwood Fund. Human Physiol. (ed. 4) xvii. 496 Tropic hormones stimulate and maintain their endocrine target tissues. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). > see also also refers to : -tropiccomb. form < n.adj.¹c1400adj.²1867adj.³1898 see also
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tropicn.adj.1

Phrases

Compounds

tropicadj.2

tropicadj.3

> see also

tropicn.adj.¹

tropicadj.²

tropicadj.³