Etymology : Middle English climat, from Middle French, from Late Latin climat-, clima, from Greek klimat-, klima inclination, lat., climate, from klinein to lean; more at LEAN
Pronunciation : klI-m&t
Function : noun
Date : 14th century
1. weather conditions; surrounding conditions. climate\cli"mate\ , n. [f. climat, l. clima, -atis, fr. gr. , , slope, the supposed slope of the earth (from the equator toward the pole), hence a region or zone of the earth, fr. to slope, incline, akin to e. lean, v. i. see:
lean, v. i., and cf. clime.].
2. (anc. geog.) one of thirty regions or zones, parallel to the equator, into which the surface of the earth from the equator to the pole was divided, according to the successive increase of the length of the midsummer day.
3. the condition of a place in relation to various phenomena of the atmosphere, as temperature, moisture, etc., especially as they affect animal or vegetable life.climate \cli"mate\, v. i. to dwell. [poetic].
4. One of thirty regions or zones, parallel to the equator, into which the surface of the earth from the equator to the pole was divided, according to the successive increase of the length of the midsummer day.
5. The condition of a place in relation to various phenomena of the atmosphere, as temperature, moisture, etc., especially as they affect animal or vegetable life.
6. To dwell. the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time; "the dank climate of southern Wales"; "plants from a cold clime travel best in winter" the prevailing psychological state; "the climate of opinion"; "the national mood had changed radically since the last election".
7. 1. The climate of a place is the general weather conditions that are typical of it. the hot and humid climate of Cyprus.
8. You can use climate to refer to the general atmosphere or situation somewhere. The economic climate remains uncertain. the existing climate of violence and intimidation. Condition of the atmosphere at a particular location over a long period of time (from one month to many millions of years, but generally 30 years). Climate is the sum of atmospheric elements (and their variations): solar radiation, temperature, humidity, clouds and precipitation (type, frequency, and amount), atmospheric pressure, and wind (speed and direction). To the nonspecialist, climate means expected or habitual weather at a particular place and time of year. To the specialist, climate also denotes the degree of variability of weather, and it includes not only the atmosphere but also the hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and such extraterrestrial factors as the sun. See also urban climate.