Circumpolar is a word with an interesting spelling. The first syllable "cir" is pronounced as "sər" in IPA phonetic transcription, with a soft "s" sound. The second syllable "cum" sounds like "kʌm" in IPA, with a short "u" sound. The final syllable "polar" is pronounced as "poʊlər" in IPA, with a long "o" sound and a schwa sound at the end. This word describes things that are located or occurring around the North Pole, such as the circumpolar stars.
Circumpolar is an adjective that refers to something or someone relating to the area near or surrounding one of the Earth's poles, specifically the North Pole or the South Pole. It describes the regions that are located around the polar regions and are constantly influenced by the polar climate, being characterized by extreme cold temperatures.
In the context of geography, the term circumpolar is often used to describe the distribution of celestial phenomena that can be observed above the horizon from a specific location near a pole. These phenomena include stars, constellations, and the auroras, which are more prominently visible in regions closer to the poles. The celestial objects that are circumpolar can be observed throughout the night without setting below the horizon.
Additionally, circumpolar can be used to describe certain animal species that inhabit or migrate through the polar regions. These species have adapted to survive in the extreme cold conditions and rely on the resources provided by the Arctic or Antarctic environments.
In summary, circumpolar refers to anything that pertains to or is situated near the Earth's poles, with emphasis on the regions surrounding them, the celestial phenomena visible from those regions, and the species that inhabit those areas.
Round the pole-applied to the stars near the north pole.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "circumpolar" is derived from two Latin terms: "circum" which means "around" or "about", and "polaris" which refers to the North Star or pole star. The word "polaris" itself is derived from the Latin word "polaris" or "pōlāris" meaning "of or relating to the poles". When combined, "circum" and "polaris" form "circumpolar", which essentially means "around the pole" or "encircling the pole". It is often used to describe celestial objects or regions that are located around the Earth's polar regions.