English Lexicon

Southern Hemisphere

/ˈsʌð.ən ˈhɛm.ɪs.fɪr/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The half of the Earth that lies south of the equator.

    "Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, experiencing opposite seasons to those in the Northern Hemisphere."
  2. 2

    A region of the Earth characterized by its geographical and climatic features, distinct from the Northern Hemisphere.

    "The Southern Hemisphere is known for its diverse ecosystems, including rainforests and deserts."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'southern' originates from the Old English 'sūð', meaning 'south', while 'hemisphere' comes from the Greek 'hemisphairion', meaning 'half a sphere'. The combination reflects geographical divisions established in the early modern period.

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