antipodes

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   two places or points situated directly opposite each other on the earth

   The two islands are nearly antipodes, separated by half the globe.

2. 2
   noun

   the place on the earth directly opposite a specified place

   The antipodes of the town lies in a remote stretch of ocean.

3. 3
   noun

   the Antipodes: Australia and New Zealand, especially as viewed from Britain or Europe

   The naturalist returned from the Antipodes with several unfamiliar specimens.

Simplified etymology

Antipodes entered late Middle English through French or Latin from Greek antipous, “having the feet opposite.” It evokes people standing at opposite points on the globe with the soles of their feet facing one another.

From Latin antipodes, from Greek antipodes, literally 'those with opposite feet,' combining anti- ('opposite') with podes, the plural of pous ('foot'). Ancient geographers used it for hypothetical people living on the opposite side of the earth; English later applied it to opposite places and, from a British viewpoint, to Australia and New Zealand.

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