antipodes

C2 Topic:Places & Geography

US /ænˈtɪp.əˌdiz/ UK /ænˈtɪpədiːz/ See IPA manual

Freq #86750

Meanings

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

noun
the place on the earth directly opposite a specified place

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

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · two places or points... opposite points

2 noun · the place on the earth... diametric opposite

3 noun · the antipodes: australia... Australia and New Zealand

Word family

Derived forms antipodean

Related forms antipodeantipodalhemisphere diameter

Etymology

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.

Topics

Places & Geography

External links

# antipodes

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ænˈtɪp.əˌdiz/
**IPA (UK):** /ænˈtɪpədiːz/
**Frequency rank:** 86750

## Meanings
1. two places or points situated directly opposite each other on the earth
2. the place on the earth directly opposite a specified place
3. the Antipodes: Australia and New Zealand, especially as viewed from Britain or Europe

## Examples
- The two islands are nearly antipodes, separated by half the globe.
- The antipodes of the town lies in a remote stretch of ocean.
- The naturalist returned from the Antipodes with several unfamiliar specimens.

## Synonyms
- opposite points
- diametric opposite

## Derived Forms
- antipodean

## Related Forms
- antipode
- antipodal
- hemisphere
- diameter

## Etymology
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.

## Topics
- Places & Geography

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