frostbite

[ frawst-bahyt, frost- ]

noun

1. injury to any part of the body after excessive exposure to extreme cold, sometimes progressing from initial redness and tingling to gangrene.

verb (used with object)

, frost·bit, frost·bit·ten, frost·bit·ing.

1. to injure by frost or extreme cold.

frostbite

/ ˈfrɒstˌbaɪt /

noun

1. destruction of tissues, esp those of the fingers, ears, toes, and nose, by freezing, characterized by tingling, blister formation, and gangrene
2. a type of small sailing dinghy

frostbite

/ frôst′bīt′ /

1. Damage to a part of the body as a result of exposure to freezing temperatures. It is caused by a loss of blood supply and the formation of ice crystals in the affected body part.

Word History and Origins

Origin of frostbite¹

First recorded in 1605–15; frost + bite

Example Sentences

In my reporting for this column, I heard time and again that many cast members suffer from medical maladies like frostbite, parasites, vitamin deficiencies, or extreme fatigue.

From Outside Online

If we haven’t got frostbite so far, we’ll surely be strong candidates in these bags.

From Outside Online

As much as she loves downhill skiing, that simply wasn’t going to happen—hitting the slopes felt like we’d be risking frostbite to most of our toes.

From Popular-Science

Even if they fall off a cliff, you don’t know whether it was a consequence of impaired balance and cognitive function due to altitude illness, or perhaps a loss of coordination from frostbite.

From Outside Online

Frozen toes at the bottom of your sleeping bag, the fear of frostbite looming in the back of your mind, and the ever-present possibility that you didn’t bring enough layers.

From Popular-Science

Many others who survived suffered severe frostbite and have had or soon will undergo amputations.

From The Daily Beast

Let's hope he didn't get frostbite - here's the science of getting naked in antarctica.

From The Daily Beast

They can also give you frostbite on your face or even kill you.

From The Daily Beast

In a fall show dubbed "frostbite," Jenden sent cool, sleek concoctions down the runway.

From The Daily Beast

This bone-chilling week, they are perhaps just a surer way to avoid frostbite.

From The Daily Beast

Except for a touch of frostbite on his toes and fingers, Barrent was all right.

From Project Gutenberg

They had not been able to frostbite her yet because she had been too young; but they would get her presently.

From Project Gutenberg

The cold burned our cheeks a fierce brick-red, and a frostbite showed on them like a patch of white putty.

From Project Gutenberg

To expose flesh was to feel instantly the sharp sting that heralds frostbite.

From Project Gutenberg

The fun of snow-shoeing, mitigated by frostbite, quickly degenerated from a sport into a mere means of locomotion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chill
• snow