Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
plural noun
- places diametrically opposite each other on the globe.
- those who dwell there.
pl n
- either or both of two points, places, or regions that are situated diametrically opposite to one another on the earth’s surface, esp the country or region opposite one’s own
- the people who live there
- the antipodes (often capital) Australia and New Zealand
- (sometimes functioning as singular) the exact or direct opposite
late 14c., “persons who dwell on the opposite side of the globe;” 1540s as “place on the opposite side of the earth,” from Latin antipodes “those who dwell on the opposite side of the earth,” from Greek antipodes, plural of antipous “with feet opposite (ours),” from anti- “opposite” (see anti-) + pous “foot” (see foot (n.)); thus, people who live on the opposite side of the world.
Yonde in Ethiopia ben the Antipodes, men that haue theyr fete ayenst our fete. [“De Proprietatibus Rerum Bartholomeus Anglicus,” translated by John of Trevisa, 1398]
Not to be confused with antiscii “those who live on the same meridian on opposite side of the equator,” whose shadows fall at noon in the opposite direction, from Greek anti- + skia “shadow.” Related: Antipodal (adj.); antipodean (1630s, n.; 1650s, adj.).
- Two places on directly opposite sides of the Earth, such as the North Pole and the South Pole.
Two places on the globe that are exactly opposite each other; for example, the North Pole and South Pole.