1366,
antartyk, from O.Fr.
antartique, from M.L.
antarcticus, from Gk.
antarktikos "opposite the north," from
anti- "opposite" +
arktikos "arctic" (see
Arctic). The first
-c- sound ceased to be pronounced in M.L. and was dropped in O.Fr. Modern spelling, which restores it, dates from 1601.