| 释义 |
trop·ic
I. \ˈträpik, -pēk\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English tropik, from Latin tropicus of a turn, of a turning of the sun, from Greek tropikos of the solstice, from tropē action of turning (akin to Greek trepein to turn) + -ikos -ic — more at trope
1. obsolete : either of the solstitial points; also : boundary, limit
2. : either of the two small circles of the celestial sphere on each side of and parallel to the equator at a distance of 23 1/2 degrees which the sun reaches at its greatest declination north or south
3.
a. : either of the two parallels of terrestrial latitude corresponding to the celestial tropics — see tropic of cancer, tropic of capricorn
b. tropics plural, often capitalized : the region lying between these parallels of latitude or near them on either side — usually used with the
< life in the tropics >
II. adjective
1. : of, relating to, or occurring in the tropics : tropical
< tropic breezes >
< tropic fruits >
< gorgeous tropic butterflies — William Beebe >
2. : associated with or occurring during the greatest north or south declination of the moon
< a tropic tide >
III. adjective
Etymology: trop- (I) + -ic
1. : of, relating to, or characteristic of tropism or of a tropism
2. of a hormone : influencing the activity of a specified gland |