frost

¹

[ frawst, frost ]

noun

1. a degree or state of coldness sufficient to cause the freezing of water.
2. Also called hoarfrost. a covering of minute ice needles, formed from the atmosphere at night upon the ground and exposed objects when they have cooled by radiation below the dew point, and when the dew point is below the freezing point.
3. an opaque coating of tiny, white, granular ice particles, formed on the walls or contents of a freezer by the condensation of water vapor; rime.
4. the act or process of freezing.
5. coldness of manner or temperament:

   We noticed a definite frost in his greeting.

   Synonyms: reserve, distance, indifference, aloofness

6. Informal. a coolness between persons.
7. Informal. something that meets with lack of enthusiasm, as a theatrical performance or party; failure; flop.
8. a milkshake, frappe, or similar drink:

   a chocolate frost.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with frost.
2. to give a frostlike surface to (glass, metal, etc.).
3. to ice (a cake, cookies, etc.).
4. to bleach selected strands of (a person's hair) in order to create highlights.
5. to kill or injure by frost:

   a freezing rain that badly frosted the tomato plants.

6. to make angry:

   I was frosted by his critical comment.

verb (used without object)

1. to become covered with frost (often followed by up or over ):

   The windshield has frosted over.

2. (of varnish, paint, etc.) to dry with a film resembling frost.

Frost

²

[ frawst, frost ]

noun

1. Robert (Lee), 1874–1963, U.S. poet.

Frost

¹

/ frɒst /

noun

1. FrostSir David (Paradine)1939MBritishFILMS AND TV: television presenter Sir David ( Paradine ). born 1939, British television presenter and executive, noted esp for political interviews
2. FrostRobert (Lee)18741963MUSWRITING: poet Robert ( Lee ). 1874–1963, US poet, noted for his lyrical verse on country life in New England. His books include A Boy's Will (1913), North of Boston (1914), and New Hampshire (1923)

frost

²

/ frɒst /

noun

1. a white deposit of ice particles, esp one formed on objects out of doors at night See also hoarfrost
2. an atmospheric temperature of below freezing point, characterized by the production of this deposit
3. degrees below freezing point: eight degrees of frost indicates a temperature of either –8°C or 24°F
4. informal.
   something given a cold reception; failure
5. informal.
   coolness of manner
6. the act of freezing

verb

1. to cover or be covered with frost
2. tr to give a frostlike appearance to (glass, etc), as by means of a fine-grained surface
3. tr to decorate (cakes, etc) with icing or frosting
4. tr to kill or damage (crops, etc) with frost

frost

/ frôst /

1. A deposit of tiny, white ice crystals on a surface. Frost forms through sublimation, when water vapor in the air condenses at a temperature below freezing. It gets its white color from tiny air bubbles trapped in the ice crystals.
2. See more at dew point

Derived Forms

• ˈfrostˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• frostless adjective
• frostlike adjective
• un·frost verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of frost¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English frost, forst; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse frost; akin to freeze

Word History and Origins

Origin of frost¹

Old English frost ; related to Old Norse, Old Saxon, Old High German frost ; see freeze

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. degree of frost, British. the degree of temperature Fahrenheit below the freezing point:

   10 degrees of frost is equivalent to 22°F.

Example Sentences

In the north, frost is expected in Scotland and the Lake District.

From BBC

Temperatures will fall sharply again on Thursday night with a widespread frost and ice on untreated surfaces.

From BBC

Transport for Greater Manchester said they would be gritting bus stations and interchanges, and running trams overnight to keep overhead lines clear of frost.

From BBC

Because farming is uncertain and one bad frost can spell disaster for the season's crops, two-thirds of the women in the study also work full time outside the home.

From Science Daily

Temperatures will be below the November average by Sunday with frosts expected through the coming week.

From BBC