Thule

views updated May 14 2018

Thule a country described by the ancient Greek explorer Pytheas (c.310 bc) as being six days' sail north of Britain, variously identified with Iceland, the Shetland Islands, and most plausibly, Norway. It was regarded by the ancients as the northernmost part of the world. (See also Ultima Thule.)

ultima Thule

views updated May 29 2018

ultima Thule a distant unknown region; the extreme limit of travel and discovery; the Latin phrase means ‘furthest Thule’ (see Thule).