tropical

comparative more tropical · superlative most tropical · alternative abbreviation trop.

1. Of or pertaining to the tropics, the equatorial region between 23 degrees north and 23 degrees south.
2. From, or similar to, a hot, humid climate.

   We've had a lot of tropical nights this summer.

   2 more examples

   My favorite tropical fruits are pineapples and coconuts.

   Whale sharks are found in all the tropical waters of the world. As with many tropical species, an occasional stray wanders into colder waters.

   1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 103

3. datedPertaining to, involving, or of the nature of a trope or tropes; figurative, metaphorical.

   The foundation of all parables is some analogy or similitude between the tropical or allusive part of the parable and the thing intended by it.

   1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London

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   But we, by the real spiritual presence of Christ, do understand Christ to be present, as the Spirit of God is present in the hearts of the faithful, by blessing and grace; and this is all which we mean besides the tropical and figurative presence.

   1653 (indicated as 1654), “The Real Presence and Spiritual of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, Proved against the Doctrine of Transubstantiation. Section I. State of the Question.”, in Reginald Heber, editor, The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D. […], volume IX, London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co. […]; and Richard Priestley, […], published 1822, →OCLC, paragraph 8, page 429

4. mathematicsPertaining to tropical geometry.

plural tropicals · alternative abbreviation trop.

1. A tropical plant.

   The potato, as a mountain tropical plant, is capable of growing in cooler weather than any other tropical except the Nasturtian.

   1856, “The Horticulturist and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), volume 12, page 275