antipodal

& s. [Eng. antipod(e); -al. In Port. antipodal.] A. As adjective: Pertaining to the antipodes, or the part of the world which they inhabit. B. As substantive: One inhabiting the other side of the world from that in which the speaker or writer is. [ANTIPODES.] "The Americans are antipodals unto the Indians. " Browne. tăn-ti-põde, + An-ti-põde ( sing . ); ăntip-o-dēs, An-tip-o-deş ( plur .), s. [In Sw. & Dan. antipoder (pl.); Ger. antipoden (pl.); Fr. antipode (sing.), antipodes (pl.); Sp. & Port. antipoda (sing.); Ital. antipodi (pl.); Lat. antipodes (pl.); Gr. ἀντίποδες (antipodes), pl. of ἀντίπους ( antipous ) (a word first introduced by Plato) = with the feet opposite. From ἀντί ( anti ) = opposite to, and πούς ( pous ) = a foot; πόδες ( podes ) = feet.] Rare in the singular, common in the plural. L. Lit. ( Plur .): People who, from their situation on the globe, have their feet opposite to those of the speaker or writer who applies to them the term antipodes. For example, if Green wich Observatory is in lat. 51° 28′ Ν., and long. 0° E. or W., then the antipodes, if any exist, of the astronomers at Green wich must be sought in lat. 51° 28′ S. and long. 180° Ε. or W. That point falls in the ocean S.E. of New Zealand, near Antipodes Island. Those who are our antipodes have seasons exactly like those of our land, but reversed in time, their shortest day being our longest, their winter our summer, and vice versă. II. Met.: Something exactly and completely opposed or opposite to another. ăn-tip-o-de-an, a. & s. [Eng. antipode (s); suff . -an .] A. As adj .: Pertaining to the antipodes. B. As subst.: One who lives at the antipodes.