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antipode

noun
an·​ti·​pode | \ ˈan-tə-ˌpōd How to pronounce antipode (audio) \
plural antipodes\ an-​ˈti-​pə-​ˌdēz How to pronounce antipodes (audio) \

Definition of antipode

1 : the parts of the earth diametrically opposite —usually used in plural —often used of Australia and New Zealand as contrasted to the western hemisphere
2 : the exact opposite or contrary
Other Words from antipode Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about antipode

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Other Words from antipode

antipodean \ (ˌ)an-​ˌti-​pə-​ˈdē-​ən How to pronounce antipodean (audio) \ adjective or noun

Did You Know?

We borrowed the word antipode over 600 years ago. It first appeared in a translation of a Latin text as a word designating "men that have their feet against our feet," that is, inhabitants of the opposite side of the globe. The word, which originated in Greek, combines anti-, meaning "opposite," with the root pod-, meaning "foot." "Antipode" is no longer used in English as a designation for people, but the notion of the other side of the globe lives on in its current geographical sense. We have come to use the plural term "antipodes" (pronounced \an-TIH-puh-deez) to refer to Australia and New Zealand because they are on the other side of the earth from Britain.

Examples of antipode in a Sentence

my jock brother is an antipode to my bookworm sister

Recent Examples on the Web

 After Leonard Bernstein left the job in 1969, the orchestra chose as his successor an antipode, the cerebral Pierre Boulez. — David Mermelstein, WSJ, "New York’s New Maestro," 1 Oct. 2018 But the antipode of the hospital where I was born, in central China, is a place in northern Argentina. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "How to find your home on Pangea," 17 June 2018 Especially when your predecessor is in so many respects your antipode. — Mike Sielski, Philly.com, "Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo's core flaw? He was too insecure about Sam Hinkie | Mike Sielski," 31 May 2018 But the antipodes offer singular rewards in recompense. — Ryu Spaeth, The New Republic, "Gerald Murnane’s Endless Island," 4 May 2018 That relates to the title of the exhibition; antipodes are places on opposite sides of the earth. — Thomas Hine, Philly.com, "'Antipodes' at Lemon Hill shows a way forward: Philly's mansions don't need to be musty antiques," 25 Apr. 2018 These particular men work in southwest Texas, which is pretty much the antipodes—according to Texas geography, anyway. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "A Few Words About Self-Government," 7 Sep. 2017 But, across the world, in the antipodes, another part of the Murdoch media empire was doing even more serious damage. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "Exactly How Much Does Rupert Murdoch Know About Trump?," 16 Aug. 2017 The antipode of the entire continental US is the Indian Ocean. — Christopher Nolan, WIRED, "Related Stories," 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antipode.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of antipode

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for antipode

Middle English antipodes, plural, persons dwelling at opposite points on the globe, from Latin, from Greek, from plural of antipod-, antipous with feet opposite, from anti- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

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More Definitions for antipode

antipode

noun
an·​ti·​pode | \ ˈant-ə-ˌpōd How to pronounce antipode (audio) \
plural antipodes\ an-​ˈtip-​ə-​ˌdēz How to pronounce antipodes (audio) \

Medical Definition of antipode

1 : the exact opposite
2 : enantiomer

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for antipode

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