frost smoke

noun

, Meteorology.

1. an ice fog caused by extremely cold air flowing over a body of comparatively warm water, especially in polar regions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of frost smoke¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

Sometimes open leads of water in all directions were wreathed with wisps of frost smoke as the water began to freeze, and Shackleton commented that the effect resembled the smoke from a prairie fire.

From Literature

"Turn the dogs!" he shouted, while at the same moment a wreath of frost smoke, cold and wet, swept over the whole party, and the sea opened to them with its white line of foam, about one fourth of a mile ahead.

From Project Gutenberg

Frost′-smoke, vapour frozen in the atmosphere, and having a smoke-like appearance; Frost′-work, work resembling hoar-frost on shrubs, &c.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

Inquire the season of the year; and he knows by the slant sunlight coming up through the frost smoke of the southern horizon.

From Project Gutenberg

“Troth,” said O’Riley, gazing round towards the land, where the distant cliffs loomed black and heavy in the fading light, and out upon the floes and hummocks, where the frost smoke from pools of open water on the horizon circled round the pinnacles of the icebergs,—“troth, it’s a cowld place intirely to go to wan’s bed in, but that fat-faced Exqueemaw seems to be settin’ about it quite coolly; so here goes!”

From Project Gutenberg