cli-mate (klie'mit) n.

1. the composite or generally prevailing
weather conditions of a region, as
temperature, air pressure, humidity,
precipitation, cloudiness, and winds,
throughout the year, averaged over a
series of years.

2. a region or area characterized by a given
climate: to move to a warm climate.

3. the prevailing attitudes, standards, or
conditions of a group, period, or place:
a climate of political unrest.

[1350-1400; ME: region, latitude < L climat-, s.
of clima < Gk klĀma = klĀ (nein) to slope, lean +
-ma n. suffix of result]