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.] 1. (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.
2. 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.
Cli"mate, v. i. To
dwell. [Poetic] Shak.
