n. 1. The Atlantic Ocean. 2. The westernmost branch of the Niger-Congo language family. Also called West Atlantic. adj. 1. Of, in, or near the Atlantic Ocean. 2. Of, on, or near the eastern coast of the United States. 3. Of or concerning countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, especially those of Europe and North America. 4. Of or relating to the westernmost branch of the Niger-Congo language family. [Middle English Atlantik, from Latin (mare) Atlanticum, Atlantic (sea), from Greek (pelagos) Atlantikos, from Atlās, Atlant-, Atlas, Mount Atlas (in west Africa, on which the heavens were believed to rest); see telə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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