frost

¹frost

noun \ˈfrȯst\

Definition of FROST

1

a : the process of freezing

b : a covering of minute ice crystals on a cold surface; also : ice particles formed from a gas

c : the temperature that causes freezing

2

a : coldness of deportment or temperament : an indifferent, reserved, or unfriendly manner

b : failure <the play was … a most dreadful frost — Arnold Bennett>

Examples of FROST

1. The grass was covered with frost.
2. Frost formed on the window.
3. These plants should bloom until the first frost of the season.
4. We had an early frost.

Origin of FROST

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German frost — more at freeze

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FROST

Synonyms

hoar, hoarfrost, rime

Antonyms

blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner

Related Words

frostwork

Near Antonyms

corker, crackerjack (also crackajack), dandy, jim-dandy, phenomenon

Rhymes with FROST

cost, lost

²frost

verb

Definition of FROST

transitive verb

1

a : to cover with or as if with frost; especially : to put icing on (cake)

b : to produce a fine-grained slightly roughened surface on (as metal or glass)

2

: to injure or kill (as plants) by frost

3

: to make angry or irritated <that really frosts me>

intransitive verb

: to become frosted

Examples of FROST

1. The cold had frosted the windows.
2. I have to frost the birthday cake.

First Known Use of FROST

1635

Related to FROST

Synonyms

aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, irritate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, itch, nark [British], nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex

Related Words

hassle, heckle; nag; inflame (also enflame), provoke, rouse; badger, bait, bullyrag (also ballyrag), devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil; agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry; affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage

Near Antonyms

appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

Frost

biographical name \ˈfrȯst\

Definition of FROST

Robert Lee 1874–1963 Am. poet

— Frost·ian \ˈfrȯs-tē-ən, -chən\ adjective

frost

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Atmospheric moisture that crystallizes directly on the ground and on exposed objects. The term also refers to the occurrence of subfreezing temperatures that affect plants and crops. Frost crystals, sometimes called hoarfrost in the aggregate, form when water vapour in the atmosphere passes into the ice-crystal phase without going through the intermediate liquid phase. Frost forms under conditions that would form dew if the temperature were above freezing. In agriculture, frost refers to the freezing of the water in plant cells, which causes the cells to burst and thereby destroys the plant.