hyperborean

• Hyperborean

From Late Latin hyperboreanus, cognate with Classical Latin hyperboreus, from Ancient Greek ὑπερβόρεος (huperbóreos), composed of ὑπέρ (hupér, “over”) + βόρειος (bóreios, “northern”). See also Ὑπερβόρεοι (Huperbóreoi).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /hʌɪ.pəˈbɔː.ɹɪən/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈboɹ.i.jɪn/

hyperborean (plural hyperboreans)

1. (Greek mythology, usually capitalised) One of a race of people living in the extreme north, beyond the north wind.

   The Hyperboreans venerated Apollo over the other gods.

2. (usually humorous) Any person living in a northern country, or to the north.

hyperborean (comparative more hyperborean, superlative most hyperborean)

1. Pertaining to the extreme north of the earth, or (usually jocular) to a specific northern country or area.
   • 1633, C. Butler, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     The hyperborean or frozen sea.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses:

     You could have knelt down, damn it, Kinch, when your dying mother asked you, Buck Mulligan said. I’m hyperborean as much as you. But to think of your mother begging you with her last breath to kneel down and pray for her. And you refused.