anchor ice

noun

1. ice formed below the surface of a body of water that attaches either to a submerged object or to the bottom.

anchor ice

noun

1. ice that forms at the bottom of a lake or river

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchor ice¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

The Okanogan River is usually the first to freeze and now the Methow, Entiat and Wenatchee are both showing signs of shelf ice along the shore and even anchor ice in the slower sections.

From Seattle Times

Our oxen are often very reluctant to enter the water while the anchor ice runs, and the cold has already begun to congeal its surface.

From Project Gutenberg

Some say the compulsories anchor ice dance in its roots.

From Wall Street Journal

The days fled swiftly by; the hills thrust their scarred sides up through the melting snow; the open sea showed black beyond the rim of anchor ice.

From Project Gutenberg

The waters of Behring's Strait are about one hundred and eighty feet deep, and they are frozen through one half of the year; but the congealed mass, when broken, generally takes the form of anchor ice, and not that of iceberg.

From Project Gutenberg