firn

[ feern ]

noun

1. névé.

firn

/ fɪən /

noun

1. another name for névé

firn

/ fîrn /

1. Granular, partially consolidated snow that has passed through one summer melt season but is not yet glacial ice. Firn becomes glacial ice once it has become impermeable to liquid water.

Word History and Origins

Origin of firn¹

1850–55; < German (Swiss), noun use of firn last year's, old; cognate with Old English fyrn former, ancient, Gothic fairneis; akin to Old Norse forn ancient. See before

Word History and Origins

Origin of firn¹

C19: from German (Swiss dialect) firn of the previous year, from Old High German firni old

Example Sentences

“It’s undeniable that the average firn line is creeping up,” Volken said, referring to the line across glaciers at which exposed glacier ice transitions to the snow-covered surface of a glacier.

From Seattle Times

Ice and firn, or dense snow leftover from previous seasons, also disappeared from the ridge.

From Washington Post

Much of the ice on the continent of Antarctica is actually a form of consolidated snow called firn.

From Literature

During large melt events, meltwater on the surface can seep through the snow and into firn, or a layer of compacted snow that is not yet compressed into glacial ice.

From Seattle Times

Depending on the temperature of the water, snow and firn, the meltwater can refreeze and can create ice lenses.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• blizzard
• snowstorm