'antarctic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antarktikos,' where 'anti-' meant 'opposite' and 'arktikos' referred to 'the Arctic or northern region.'

'antarktikos' transformed into the Latin word 'antarcticus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'antarctic' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'opposite to the Arctic,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.