tropic
Definitions
Either of the two lines of latitude (about 23.5° north and south) bounding the tropics.
回归线（南北纬约 23.5° 处划定热带界线的两条纬线之一）。
Of or relating to the tropics; tropical.
热带的；回归线的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtrop (turn) + -ic. Each year the noon sun climbs until a solstice, then turns back. The line of latitude where it stands directly overhead at that turning point is a tropic — literally a 'turning line.' There are two: the Tropic of Cancer (north) and the Tropic of Capricorn (south).
Root trop still carries 11 more wordsWhy It Means This
Tropic is the word where the root's meaning is most visible. The names Cancer and Capricorn come from the zodiac constellations the sun entered at the June and December solstices — the two moments each year when its northward or southward march reverses. The 'turning point' of the sun gave its name to the lines, then to the whole hot zone (tropical, the tropics).
Common Collocations
- 1.Tropic of Cancer北回归线
- 2.Tropic of Capricorn南回归线
- 3.within the tropic在回归线以内
- 4.the northern tropic北回归线
Example Sentences
- 1.
The ship crossed the Tropic of Cancer just after dawn.
- 2.
Between the two tropics lies the hottest belt of the planet.
- 3.
They sailed south into tropic waters where the air grew heavy and warm.