tropicalization
|trop-i-cal-i-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌtrɑpɪkələˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌtrɒpɪkələˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
making or becoming tropical; adapting to the tropics
Etymology
'tropicalization' originates from English, specifically the word 'tropicalize' + the suffix '-ation', where 'tropicalize' is formed from 'tropical' (relating to the tropics) plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize'.
'tropical' derives from Greek 'tropikos' (from 'tropos' meaning 'turn' or 'direction'); it passed through Latin 'tropicus' into modern English as 'tropical'. The verb 'tropicalize' was formed in English by adding '-ize' to 'tropical', and later '-ation' produced 'tropicalization'.
Initially, forms of the root referred mainly to 'of or relating to the tropics'; over time the derived noun 'tropicalization' came to denote processes of adapting or making suitable for tropical conditions and acquired specialized technical senses (e.g., in tropical geometry).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or result of becoming tropical or being adapted to tropical climate conditions (ecology, agriculture, urban planning).
The tropicalization of coastal agriculture required introducing heat-tolerant crop varieties and new irrigation methods.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
in mathematics (tropical geometry), the process of associating a classical algebraic variety or equation with a piecewise-linear 'tropical' counterpart (often via valuation or logarithmic limit processes).
The paper examines the tropicalization of the algebraic curve to study its combinatorial skeleton.
Synonyms
Noun 3
the cultural, commercial, or design practice of modifying products, architecture, or services to suit tropical climates or tropical markets.
The company's tropicalization strategy included lighter building materials and locally preferred flavors.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/14 22:13