Pacific

From Latin pācificus (“peace-making”), so called by Magellan because he sailed peacefully over it after weathering Cape Horn.

the Pacific

1. The Pacific Ocean.
   • 1942 [1942 October 22], Kai-shek Chiang, “Endurance, conscientiousness”, in All We Are and All We Have‎, New York: Chinese News Service, →OCLC, page 45:

     When our last plenary session was held in November of last year the Pacific was threatened with imminent outbreak of war. Since the subsequent beginning of the Japanese campaign of aggression in that ocean, China, in the company of her allies, has become the most important member of the forces fighting on the continent of East Asia.

2. A municipality of Franklin County, Missouri, United States.

Pacific (plural Pacifics)

1. (rail transport) A steam locomotive of the 4-6-2 wheel arrangement.
   • 1951 April, Stirling Everard, “A Matter of Pedigree”, in Railway Magazine, number 600, page 273:

     Britannia's firebox would appear to have derived from those of the Bulleid Pacifics, which it closely resembles.

Pacific (not comparable)

1. Related to the Pacific Ocean.