First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1thaw
verb \ˈthȯ\
: to stop being frozen or to cause (something) to stop being frozen
of weather : to become warm enough that snow and ice melt
: to return to a normal temperature after being very cold
Full Definition of THAW
transitive verb
: to cause to thaw
intransitive verb
1
a : to go from a frozen to a liquid state : melt b : to become free of the effect (as stiffness, numbness, or hardness) of cold as a result of exposure to warmth
2
: to be warm enough to melt ice and snow —used with it in reference to the weather
3
: to abandon aloofness, reserve, or hostility : unbend
4
: to become mobile, active, or susceptible to change
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Origin of THAW
Middle English, from Old English thawian; akin to Old High German douwen to thaw, Greek tēkein to melt, Latin tabēre to waste away
2thaw
noun
: a period of weather that is warm enough to melt ice and snow
: a situation in which a relationship becomes more friendly and less angry
Full Definition of THAW
1
: the action, fact, or process of thawing
2
: a period of weather warm enough to thaw ice <the January thaw>
3
: the action or process of becoming less aloof, less hostile, or more genial <a thaw in international relations>
See thaw defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THAW
15th century
THAW Defined for Kids
1thaw
verb \ˈthȯ\
thawedthaw·ing
Definition of THAW for Kids
1
: to melt or cause to melt
2
: to grow less unfriendly or quiet in manner
2thaw
noun
Definition of THAW for Kids
1
: a period of weather warm enough to melt ice and snow
2
: the action, fact, or process of becoming less hostile or unfriendly
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