frost
oxford
views updated May 29 2018frost / frôst/ •
n. a deposit of small white ice crystals formed on the ground or other surfaces when the temperature falls below freezing. ∎ a period of cold weather when such deposits form: when the hard frosts had set in. ∎ fig. a chilling or dispiriting quality, esp. one conveyed by a cold manner: there was a light frost of anger in Jack's tone. ∎ [in sing.] inf. , chiefly Brit. a failure.•
v. [tr.] cover (something) with or as if with small ice crystals; freeze: each windowpane was frosted along its edges. ∎ [intr.] become covered with small ice crystals: a mustache that frosts up when he's ice-climbing. ∎ decorate (a cake, cupcake, or other baked item) with icing. ∎ tint hair strands to change the color of isolated strands. ∎ injure (a plant) by freezing weather. ∎ inf. anger or annoy: such discrimination frosted her no end.DERIVATIVES: frost·less adj.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
frost
oxford
views updated May 11 2018frost In meteorology, atmospheric temperatures below 0°C (32°F) at the
Earth's surface. The visible result of a frost is usually a deposit of minute ice crystals formed on exposed surfaces from
dew and water vapour. In freezing weather, the ‘degree of frost’ indicates the number of degrees below freezing point. When white
hoar-frost is formed, water vapour passes directly from its gaseous state to a solid, without becoming a liquid.
World Encyclopedia
frost
oxford
views updated May 21 2018frost The condition in which the prevailing temperature is below the freezing point of water (0°C). This may lead to a deposit of ice crystals on objects (e.g. grass or trees). Such deposits result from condensation when the
dew-point temperature is below freezing. See also
black ice.
A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY
frost
oxford
views updated May 08 2018frost Condition in which the prevailing temperature is below the freezing point of water (0°C). This may lead to a deposit of ice crystals on objects, e.g. grass or trees. Such deposits result from condensation when the
dew-point temperature is below freezing. See also
BLACK ICE.
A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY
frost
oxford
views updated Jun 11 2018frost traditionally personified as
Jack Frost (see
Jack).
frost giants in Scandinavian mythology, the enemies of Thor.
See also
so many mists in March, so many frosts in May.
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES
frost
oxford
views updated May 18 2018frost OE.
frost, usu.
forst = OS., (O)HG., ON.
frost (Du.
vorst) :- Gmc. *
frustaz,
-am, f. wk. grade of *
freusan FREEZE + abstr. suffix
-t-. The form
frost was doubtless established by ON. influence.
Hence
frosty XIV.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
Frost
gale
views updated May 09 2018Frost
of dowagers—Lipton, 1970.
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms