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frostn. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian frost , frōst , forst , Old Dutch uorst (Middle Dutch vorst , Dutch vorst ), Old Saxon frost (Middle Low German vrost , (rare) vorst ), Old High German frost (Middle High German frost , German Frost ), Old Icelandic frost , Old Swedish frost (Swedish frost ), Old Danish frost (Danish frost ) < a suffixed form (compare -t suffix3) of the Germanic base of freeze v. Compare also Gothic frius frost, from an unsuffixed form of the same base (see further discussion at freeze v.).In γ. forms apparently with alteration of the stem vowel after freeze v. 1. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > frost eOE (1974) 26 Gelum, frost [eOE Erfurt Gloss. frots, eOE Corpus Gloss. forst]. OE 58 Nis þær on þam londe laðgeniðla..ne wintergeweorp, ne wedra gebregd, hreoh under heofonum, ne se hearda forst, caldum cylegicelum, cnyseð ænigne. lOE (Laud) anno 1110 Treowwæstmas wurdon þære nihte þurh forste swiðe fornumene. c1275 (?c1250) (Calig.) (1935) 524 Wane niȝtes cumeþ longe, & bringeþ forstes starke an stronge. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. iii. 69 Byndynge frost [a1425 L.V. Blac forst] and colde, blesse ȝe to the Lord. c1450 (1905) II. 286 On a nyght..It was a grete froste. a1500 (?c1450) x. 149 Thei cloded hem warme as thei myght, for the froste was grete. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil vi. v. 31 As in the first frost eftir hervist tyde. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. cclxxxvi. 428 They went a seuyn leages afote..and it was harde frost, wherby they cutte their fete. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Conradus Celtis in 395 The Winter Frostes doe not alwayes indure: no more should your greefe. 1608 E. Grimeston tr. J. F. Le Petit xiii. 948 The souldiars..were..during the great frost, sixe daies togither without any other beuerage then yce water to drinke. 1673 W. Temple iii. 130 Warm faint Air turns in a night to a sharp Frost. 1731 P. Frowde ii. 27 Like a sudden Frost, succeeding Fear Saddens the Landskip, and corrects those Joys. 1798 H. M. Williams II. App. 323 If this thaw be succeeded by frost, the little spherical icicles cling together. 1804 J. Grahame 214 As when a waveless lake..Is sheeted by a nightly frost with ice. 1856 ‘G. Eliot’ 29 Dec. (1954) II. 284 Don't you enjoy the frost after that long time of mugginess? 1919 M. Gyte 3 Jan. (1999) 205 Keen frost this morning and a sprinkling of snow. 1948 23 Sept. 4/3 In latitudes further north the persimmon usually awaits the first frost to become edible. 1987 K. Rushforth (1990) ii. 25 The leaves of a paulownia..will blacken overnight if subjected to even a fairly light frost. 2005 J. McGahern 94 He was happy to leave them [sc. potatoes] on the ridges, even if they were going to be exposed to a night of frost. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > frost > viewed as a penetrating agent a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xiv. xlviii. 720 Þe feelde is..ystreyned [L. constringitur] with froste and with coolde, and ysweled wiþ hete. c1450 ( H. Daniel Liber Uricrisiarum (Gloucester Cathedral 19) No. 1 f. 11v, in at Wetehed(e And wirketh as frost doth in the wetehede. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) l. 2228 Alle liquours..whiche frost infectid, shuld not be vsid..theire Acuyte is dullid with colde. 1577 D. Settle sig. D.ijv The great frost.., whiche in other places, foure or fiue fathoms within the ground, for lacke of the said moysture, (the earth, euen in the very Summer time,) is frosen. 1694 tr. F. Martens Voy. Spitzbergen 24 in The frost cannot penetrate far into such Ground. 1785 M. Cutler in 1 455 The large leaves and blossoms make an agreeable appearance soon after the frost is out of the ground. 1874 C. D. Warner How Spring Came in New Eng. in 23 May 653/3 In the shade there is still frost in the ground. 1891 ‘S. C. Scrivener’ 139 Frost will penetrate eight inches, sometimes more. 1894 5 Apr. 3/2 A sheep's carcass is small; you can get the frost out of it as soon as you require it. a1933 J. A. Thomson (1934) II. 873 Lessened evaporation and the binding of the earth with frost,..greatly hinder the circulation of water. 1999 M. Winfield xxxv. 134 Turnips, swedes and potatoes..were covered with straw and bracken to keep out the frost. 2004 J. Leigh & D. Woodhouse (2006) Gloss. 29 Bony, less common in the era of undersoil heating but used of a typical mid-season pitch where the frost has barely come out of the ground. 2. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > frost > hoar frost eOE (Mercian) (1965) viii. 8 (68–70) Benedicite pruina et niues : bledsiað forstas & snaw. OE (1936) 14 Hwilum hara scoc forst of feax[e]. a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 35 (MED) Ic walde fein pinian and sitten on forste and on snawe up et mine chinne. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. iii. 68 Dewis and whijt frost, blesse ȝe to the Lord. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 6520 (MED) Manna..fel fra lift sa gret plente, Als a grideld frost to se. 1563 W. Fulke iv. f. 54 Hoare frost or whight frost, is nothing els but dewe congeled by ouermuche colde. 1630 tr. G. Botero (rev. ed.) 7 Even in that continuall neighbourhood of that great Thawer [i.e. the sun] have you hils perpetually covered with frost and snow. 1667 J. Milton xi. 899 Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost Shall hold thir course. View more context for this quotation 1709 A. Pope Winter in vi. 746 Behold the Groves that shine with silver Frost. 1793 T. Beddoes p. ix An unseasonable frost upon the tender petals of an expanding blossom. 1832 Ld. Tennyson iv There's not a flower on all the hills: the frost is on the pane. 1859 Jan. 202/2 A white frost cobwebbed the frozen ground. 1943 P. Larkin Let. 2 Jan. in (1992) 54 Do you know the kind of morning—cold, with a pale, diffused light over everything, with frost on the grass and hedges? 1962 9 Feb. 15/3 (advt.) The Frost-Magnet has only one job to do—to collect moisture from a gently circulating flow of air and prevent frost from ever forming in the freezer. 2000 G. Niebrugge 50/1 One winter morning, I opened the curtains to find the surface of my studio window, and every window in the house, covered with frost. the world > the earth > water > ice > [noun] a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 22692 (MED) A stormy dai..Bath o frost and hail and snau. a1425 (Stonyhurst) f. 30 Gelicidium, fallynge forste. ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 61 Anoþer water þat on nyghtes fresez hard and on days es na frost sene þeron. 1519 W. Horman 104v This water is relent fro Froste. 1580 J. Frampton tr. N. Monardes Dial. Yron in (new ed.) f. 170 With a peece of frost, chewing it continually. 1682 R. Blome Geogr. Descr. World (new ed.) in ii. xxvi. 255 Great Rivers and Lakes are congealed up with Frost. 1765 W. Stevenson Vertumnus in I. i. 16 Frost in chains the stagnate rivers bound. 1799 H. Mitchell 40 The frost is slippery, the ice is slippery. a1887 P. B. Marston (1892) 71 From its golden frost was freed the lake. 1898 W. F. Clark 105 Some o' da watter 'at wis anonder da frost i' da boddim o' da wharry. 1906 C. M. Doughty I. ii. 59 Behold that mighty river flagged with frost. 1948 R. Horan 25 Like cups of water loosened from a sea, frost broken out of glaciers. 1898 7 46 When brought to the ground in the form of snow or frost (for there would probably be no rain), and when subsequently evaporated, the carbon dioxide gas would crawl along the surface. 1970 6 Mar. 1372/3 Our laboratory data show that H2O frost spectra..present better agreement with the ring spectrum than does NH3 frost. 1997 R. Beebe (ed. 2) xi. 141 Because sulfur-dioxide frost is white, these observations offered evidence that the surface of the white regions on Io were covered with this material. 2016 P. Murdin vii. 137 The chemicals filter down onto the ground and cover it in a hydrocarbon frost. 3. OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) v. 220 Hi [sc. the Innocents] sind gehatene martyra blostman, for ðan ðe hi wæron swa swa upaspringende blostman, on middeweardan cyle ungeleaffulnysse, swilce mid sumere ehtnysse forste forsodene. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 12655 To shridenn uss þær wiþþ onn ȝæn. Þe frosst off fakenn trowwþe. c1475 (c1399) (Cambr. Ll.4.14) (1936) ii. l. 127 Ȝe derid hem vnduly with droppis of anger..Þat þe fresinge frost freted to here hertis. ?1555 J. Bradford xiv. 253 Afrayed of the hore froste of aduersitie. 1595 214 A frost of cares [began] to ouer runne their summers blisse. a1687 C. Cotton (1689) 374 Oh happy Fire! whose heat can thus controul The rust of Age, and thaw the frost of Death. 1772 W. Jones 27 A rev'rend sage, Whose beard was hoary with the frost of age. 1851 J. Ruskin I. xx. 225 The Renaissance frosts came, and all perished. 1952 C. Day Lewis tr. Virgil xi. 258 Her fainting eyes are glazed with the frost of death. 2004 K. Wilkins xi. 122 A frost of fear stole over my skin. the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [noun] > coldness or lack of warm feeling 1600 W. Shakespeare v. iv. 42 Why whats the matter? That you haue such a Februarie face, So full of frost, of storme, and clowdinesse. View more context for this quotation 1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi 141 The difference betweene a woman of frost and one of fire. 1720 99 But with all this Shyness, Frost, and Virtue..my Friend finds her as willing a Tit [etc.]. 1798 T. Holcroft ii. i. 20 Mr. T. Be considerate, be smooth. You are all fire and flash. Sir G. (Aside) And you are all frost and fool. 1815 W. Scott III. xvi. 308 One of those moments of feeling, when the frost of the Scottish melts like a snow wreath. 1886 W. H. Mallock II. 256 He could not..keep a slight frost from his manner. 1891 S. J. Duncan 196 There's a frost on—we don't play with each other any more. 1904 E. F. Benson (1906) 120/2 The bitter frosts of his nature melted. 1989 (Nexis) 24 Dec. Gorbachev and Ceausescu quite clearly detested each other. When the Soviet leader visited Romania, the frost between them was evident. 1999 in D. Bolger (2000) 39 She smiled, just enough frost to keep them all at an appropriate distance. society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > artistic work in metal > [noun] > other decorative metalwork 1702 No. 3810/8. All Gold and Silver Plate shall be spun close on well boiled and light died Silk only, (Frost excepted). the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > protective studs or plates > spikes or prongs to prevent slipping 1718 S. Sewall 19 Jan. (1973) II. 879 Great Rain, and very Slippery: was fain to wear Frosts. 1718 S. Sewall 5 Feb. (1973) II. 882 Had like to have fallen grievously, by reason of my Frosts, on the Steps in the night. the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > [noun] > one who or that which is unsuccessful > that which is a failure society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > [noun] > a failure (of theatrical performance) 1874 4 Feb. 153/1 The Polytechnic turned out a frost, and the many scores of ‘Literary and Scientific Institutes’ throughout the kingdom came to much grief and ridicule. 1886 70 When a piece ‘goes’ badly, it is called, a ‘frost’. 1891 I. Zangwill 209 This last book..is a regular frost. 1896 Oct. 538 The Randt mines would, in mining phrase, ‘turn out a frost’. 1927 May 83/1 ‘Ruddigore’, from the first, has been a frost, though in England it was by no means a failure. 1985 12 Jan. 10/1 It seemed unlikely..that Miss White would prove any more amusing than the Pied Piper of Hamelin,..who had turned out to be a total frost. 1991 P. J. O'Rourke (1992) 24 Even the state delegation tank-ups and other booze soirees were a frost. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > [noun] > one who deceives 1914 ‘High Jinks, Jr.’ 11 Frost,..a fake. 1916 ‘B. Cable’ 123 ‘You old frost!’ he said gaily, ‘there's no need to keep it up any longer now.’ 1920 Dec. 1880/1 Any post-graduate course that does not enable the taker to double his income a year is a frost, a fake, and a graft. Phrasesthe world > matter > colour > named colours > green or greenness > [noun] > shade or tint of green > other greens 1559 in S. Adams (1995) 419 Reseavyd for these same lyveryes syxe and fyftye yards and a halfe of frost apon grene. 1640 R. Brathwait 34 Beleeve me, Sweet, no colour may beseem Thy Virgin-veile worse than a Frost on greene. 1650 R. Heath Occas. Poems 25 in A frost-upon-green tabbie Quilt. 1657 R. Ligon 83 Colours of all greens..but most of all frost upon green. a1680 Lady Fanshawe (1829) 214 Twenty footmen all in new liveries of the same colour we used to give, which is a dark green cloth with a frost upon green lace. 1573 W. Smith sig. H.ivv But farewell frost syth that she be gon. c1590 (1844) 52 Why, farewell, frost. 1599 H. Porter sig. Ev Farewell frost. 1646 J. Lilburne 14 Farewell frost, if he never come more, nothing is lost. 1670 J. Ray 174 Farewel, frost; nothing got, nor nothing lost. 1737 A. Ramsay 19 Farewell Frost, Fair-weather niest. 1869 J. S. Le Fanu III. iv. 44 Mildred Tarnley cynically muttered to herself in the kitchen,—‘Farewell frost, Nothing got nor nothing lost.’ 1615 J. Day 223 It is a treacherous kind of dealing, and far vnbeseeming a Vertuous Matron. Frost, and Fraud haue ever a fowle end. a1661 T. Fuller (1662) Chesh. 177 Frost and Fraud both end in Foul. 1697 14 Cunning and Deceit is mean and foolish: As also that proverbial Saying truly instructs us; viz. That Frost and Fraud may hold for a time, but they will both of them have dirty ends. 1768 S. Addington (ed. 2) 19 Frost and fraud have foul ends. 1877 7 Dec. 7/ Low meadows, upon which cattle should not now be turned, at least after frost—for, as the old saying has it, ‘frost and fraud end in dirt.’ 2013 @SainathJewels 27 Sept. in twitter.com (accessed 8 Mar. 2021) Frost and fraud both end in evil. Hv a sweet dayyyy. 1712 R. Wodrow (1842) II. 118 What, will you testify against the Parliament? you [will] find frost in that, I see! 1755 6 Sen ze by me will nae be warnd, In it ze sall find frost. 1829 Nov. 736/2 Though I was sorry at his loss, I yet couldna but feel something like a satisfaction that he had found frost in no taking my advice. 1897 Shetland News 14 Aug. in (1956) IV. (at cited word) Dey 'at wir in a scad ta get sheep an' lambs wi' muckle tails is finin' da frost o' hit noo. 1928 30 Aug. 6 I some doot they wid fin frost gin we wisna there tae leuk aifter things. 1712 J. Morton iv. 300 The Spirit [in the thermometer]..at Five Degrees below hard Frost. 1712 J. Morton v. 343 At that time the Thermometer was at 3 Deg. and ½ above Hard Frost. 1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger 47 The Liquor subsided to 18 degrees, which was two Degrees below Frost. 1825 J. Holman I. xii. 178 On the evening of the 25th a sensible change again took place: snow fell, and the thermometer indicated two degrees of frost. 1850 G. Glenny (Cal. of Operations) p. xci/1 We may have the garden at sunset wet, close, and fifteen degrees above frost, and in a short space of time find the open air five degrees below it. 1906 Feb. 646/1 The thermometer registers a few degrees above frost most of the time. 1919 C. Sheldon (ed. 2) vi. 101 It was several degrees below frost and Selous, though without trousers or shoes,..picked his way in the dark through the thick, tangled woods. 1960 A. MacLean i. 11 Seventy degrees of frost will freeze blood and seal a wound quicker than any bandage. 2002 (Royal Soc.) B. 357 934/1 The antifreeze [sc. substances in insects' blood] might be useful in the spring and the autumn when there is just a few degrees of frost. 1904 E. W. Townsend ix. 117 All dat style comes near putting a frost on de whole box of tricks. 1911 R. D. Saunders viii. 112 They're the ones that's puttin' a frost on the Strickland campaign fund. 1958 28 June 7/4 Baritone Bob thrived for 4 ½ years on a CBS afternoon show, and he considers it the greatest experience in the world. But it also put a frost on his career. 1972 5 Feb. 32/1 This is how resurgent nationalism puts the frost on political change. 2002 (Nexis) 30 Apr. Some angry merchants..fear that months of disruptive construction will put a frost on holiday sales. Compounds1707 Jan. 10 Who can doubt but that he who Set the Frost Scene in King Arthur, cou'd have done any thing in the great Musick whenever he attempted it. 1716 J. Willison 175 Suffer not these tender Fruits to be nipped in the Bud, or blasted in the Blossom, by Satan's frost Winds. 1829 M. A. Gray 98 Leafless trees through frost-wreaths frown. 1840 R. M. Milnes 19 Frost-diamonds twinkle on the grass. 1856 E. K. Kane II. xix. 193 Not an icicle or even a frost-mark was to be seen on the roof. 1946 244 639 Cryopedology, the science of intensive frost action and permanently frozen ground. 2010 23 Dec. 1001/2 [Wind farms] could benefit agriculture by decreasing frost damage and extending the growing season. C2. Instrumental. 1603 J. Florio in tr. M. de Montaigne i. Ep. Ded. sig. A3v Your noblest Earles beneficence..hath so kindely bedewed my earth when it was sunburnt, so gently thawed it when it was frost-bound, as..I were more sencelesse then earth, if I returned not some fruite in good measure. 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas i. v. 182 For when her Troopes of wandring Cranes forsake Frost-firmed Strymon. 1660 A. Cooper vii. 151 The Herefordians Warrants did direct Into the Country, unto this effect, To bring in men, their Frost-congealed Moats To break. 1744 J. Thomson Winter in (new ed.) 222 The Frost-concocted Glebe Draws in abundant vegetable Soul. 1785 W. Cowper v. 155 Materials..frost-bound Firm as a rock. 1811 E. Lysaght 1 The frost-fettered rivers no longer can flow. 1842 F. W. Faber 122 The white frost-beaded grass. 1845 E. Cook 2nd Ser. 151 I stood with delight by the frost-chequer'd pane. 1856 E. K. Kane II. i. 16 My thoughts recal the frost-tempered junks of this pachydermoid amphibion. 1896 21 Mar. 343/1 I..heard men fall, the iron plates of their mail clashing on the frost-firmed ground. 1946 Oct. 110/2 Then these critics go home to a tar-paper shack with a frost-covered outhouse. 1963 7 Feb. 14/7 The frost-hardened ledges [of cliffs]. 2010 Feb. 43/2 There's something ethereal about Snowdonia in winter: the light, the frost-shrouded landscape. 1593 T. Nashe f. 61 Farre poorer then poore frost-bitten Snakes. 1806 J. Grahame 84 A frost-rent fragment. 1848 C. Kingsley i. iii. 58 Proud of your frost-kibed feet, and dirty serge. 1866 3 66 A chemically-corroded, frost-eaten, or rain-worn surface of rock. 1874 J. Geikie 62 A heap of frost-riven débris. 1917 Dec. 514 Every frost-rent crack and crevice..becomes a miniature rock garden filled with northern plants. 1993 M. Atwood xxxii. 221 The stumps of broccoli, the unripe tomatoes frost-killed and mushy. 2010 Spring 90/1 It is almost entirely formed of loose, frost-shattered rocks and crags. C3. Limitative. 1713 R. North xviii. 65 As to the Sorts of Fish that suffer most, I can only say, that the Tench, if any, is Frost-Proof. 1816 J. Marsden vi. 85 All liquids..froze, unless kept underground, in what are called frost-proof cellars. 1896 T. W. Sanders (ed. 2) 1 Lift tubers..& store in frost-proof place. 1960 23 Feb. 72/2 The store was made frost-proof by lining the inner wall with glass-fibre. 2001 Jan. 49 If you're using tiles to create a pathway remember to check that they're frostproof. C4. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > cooling agent or appliance > [noun] > device for illustrating freezing of water 1813 W. H. Wollaston in (Royal Soc.) 103 74 The instrument..may aptly be called a Cryophorus, which correctly expresses its office of frost-bearer. 1859 D. A. Wells (ed. 5) ii. 104 The..frost-bearer, strikingly illustrates the production of cold by evaporation. 2008 85 561/1 William H. Wollaston..first described in 1813 the experiments of a Mr. Leslie using a cryophorus or ‘frost-bearer’. the world > animals > birds > order Charadriiformes > [noun] > family Charadriidae > genus Pluvialis > pluvialis dominica (American golden plover) 1803 S. Mitchill Let. 5 July in (1804) 2nd Hexade 2 123/2 Grey plover, or frost-bird. 1848 ‘F. Forester’ II. 58 The American Golden Plover..is better known to our gunners by the name of ‘Frost Bird’, so called from being more plentiful during the early frosts in autumn. 1907 W. C. Braislin in 35 64 The young of this species [sc. the Golden Plover] and the Black-bellied Plover, both called ‘Frost Birds’ on Long Island formerly occurred in great abundance. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular vegetables > [noun] > leaf vegetables > other leaf vegetables 1711 J. Petiver VI. Plants Engraved Frost-blite. 1863 R. C. A. Prior 87 Frost-blite, a blite whitened as by hoar-frost, Chenopodium album. 1920 W. E. Brenchley xiii. 211 Chenopodium album, L.—Biacon-weed, dirtweed, dirty Dick, dirty John, drought-weed, fat hen, frost-blite, [etc.]. 1987 22 404 Chenopodium album is known as..white goosefoot, mealweed, frost-blite, [etc.]. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [noun] > glass > other types of glass 1873 R. Hunt (ed. 4) 197/2 Frost blue, a coarse variety of smalt. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > rainbow > [noun] > others 1817 W. Scoresby Jrnl. 1 June in (2009) III. 28 A bow resembling the rain bow but more dull & broader [‘Hoar frost bow!’ in margin].] 1841 J. Timbs 271 A solar arc, or frost-bow, was observed. 1863 20 A frostbow appeared, resembling in all respects a rainbow, except that it was of a lustrous white. 1935 E. Kearns Jrnl. 17 Dec. in (1936) Jan. 10 Just after sunrise this morning I observed what I shall call a ‘Frost-Bow’. the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [adjective] 1606 sig. C4v But he frost braind will not be obtaind To take vpon him this Realmes gouernment. 1792 G. Cartwright II. Gloss. p. iv Frostburn,..a deep and serious penetration of frost on any animal substance. 1861 L. De Boilieu ix. 105 I leave the reader to conclude which of the two poor fellows had the best chance of being preserved from frost-burns. 1956 27 97 The vulnerability of the staple crop, sweet potatoes, to frost burn. 1992 K. S. Robinson (1993) 116 Almost everyone had frostburn marks, patches of black skin that eventually peeled, leaving pink new skin, garish and ugly. 2013 (Nexis) 28 Apr. 40 Longer grass will provide a bit of a barrier or blanket against frost, reducing frost burn. 1670 J. Evelyn (ed. 2) vi. 39 Young Ashes are sometimes in Winter frost-burnt, black as Coals, and then to use the knife is seasonable. 1770 J. Armstrong I. 152 Whipping the frost-burnt villagers to the bones. 2013 (Nexis) 15 Apr. 29 The same blast had slewed the snow into deep ribs of white across the frost-burnt fields of Derbyshire. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > fastenings > button > types of 1686 No. 2192/4 A good cloth Coat..trim'd with a silver and silk frost Button. 1711 No. 4912/4 A dark Grey Suit of Cloaths, trim'd with Gold Frost Buttons. 1854 2 Nov. 1/6 A..coat..with frost buttons, and button-holes edged with gold purl. 1955 30 Jan. b5/5 Manford ingenuity flaps a double pocket with iced-pique, puts gold-stemmed frost buttons in the best places. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > [noun] > horseshoe > nail or stud 1867 16 Jan. 8/5 Frost Cogs.—Samuel Morris, Engineer and Ornamental Lathe Maker, supplies the Cogs and Tools for roughing horse shoes. 1917 12 Apr. 13/5 Then came a frozen hill to go down: the major got down well as his horse had frost cogs on. 1987 16 Apr. 140/1 Anti-skid studs for working horses, known as frost cogs. These are now obsolete—though there are still 400,000 in stock, if anyone is interested. the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > tree or woody plant > characterized by quality or health > [noun] > damaged or injured > frost-damaged part 1798 C. Marshall (ed. 2) xx. 407 Frost-cracks in beds, fill up with sifted mould. 1894 H. M. Ward (ed. 2) iv. 61 An expansion may result at a certain stage of the freezing of the inner woody cylinder, and the consequence is a frost-crack. 1960 P. J. Kramer & T. T. Kozlowski xvi. 490 Frost cracks are more common in forest trees than in orchard trees. 2004 Jan. 86/3 Vertical frost cracks tend to develop with extremely low temperatures and water-stressed trees. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > frost > hoar frost a1626 F. Bacon (1734) 472 The frost dew which we see in hoar frost, and in the rymes upon trees or the like, accounted more mortifying cold than snow. 1883 Nov. 81/1 While beneath the frost-dew lay, Till by fetlock dashed away From the dripping heather. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > frost > phenomenon of aggregations of 1843 2 406/2 If it prove frosty, the covering must be kept on until the frost fall has gone. 1879 I. L. Bird I. 295 That curious phenomena [sic] called frost-fall..in which, whatever moisture may exist in the air, somehow aggregates into feathers and fern-leaves. 1992 Mar. 68/3 Outside, fog is followed by frost fall. 2014 (Nexis) 11 Jan. Frost fall can create havoc for the wheat and gram crops. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > frost > formations > specific 1860 25 Dec. Peeping through window-panes covered with a forest of frost-ferns. 1987 9 30 Every pane of the storm windows frosted over, opaque, except for a small corner and the frost-fern's elaborate signature. 1996 J. Updike 207 Vapor turned to frost-ferns on the bathroom window. the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > superorder Paracanthopterygii > order Gadiformes (cod) > [noun] > miscellaneous types of the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > suborder Trichiuroidei > [noun] > member of family Trichiuridae (hair-tail) > lepidopus caudatus (scabbard fish) 1634 W. Wood i. ix. 32 Th' Frost fish and the Smelt. 1795 J. Sullivan 21 The people have tom cod, or what they call frost fish..in great plenty. 1863 V. Pyke in (3rd Sess. 3rd Parl.) D.–15. 9 There is a fish called the ‘frost-fish’ which throws itself on beaches during the winter months, usually during frosty weather with off-shore winds. 1890 J. Habberton 50 A string of frost-fish in one hand, and a lighted pipe in the other. 1910 Oct. 14/1 New Jersey offers quite a little sport to anglers in the Winter..frost fish, cod, and ling are taken on its coast. 1956 D. H. Graham (ed. 2) 307 The frostfish is never taken by hook and line or by nets. 2010 (Nexis) 10 Oct. (3C section) 31 You'll hear no mention of ‘tomcod’ amongst the fishermen... They call 'em ‘frost fish’. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > make cold [verb (transitive)] > freeze > into position 1800 J. Hurdis i. 15 When did the God..Congeal and frost-fix your [sc. a mountain's] prodigious limbs. 1868 S. Neil i. 13 A passivity and inertia of mind congealing and frost-fixing his whole intellect. 1983 T. Hughes 8 Wheel-ruts frost-fixed. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cloud > mist > [noun] > freezing vapour in atmosphere 1811 W. Scott in 2 ii. 596 The sun was struggling with frost-fog grey. 1913 R. Bridges Let. 14 Feb. in (1984) II. 619 We are in the thick of a frost fog—and I have to go down to dine in Oxford tonight. 2009 B. W. La Rocque x. 145/1 Men endured the constant uncertainty of elements such as fog, frost-fogs, snow, ice, rogue waves..and gusty winds. the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preserving or pickling > [adjective] > preserved by cooling or freezing > relating to freezing methods or equipment 1684 J. Peter 10 The daring Atoms of Cold insinuate themselves into the Ink in my Pen whilst I am Writing, and 'tis by the Magick of your Commands if my Intellectuals have been kept Frost-free. 1926 May 513/1 (heading) Over mountain roads to a frostfree thermal belt. 1950 24 Apr. 77/1 (advt.) The revolutionary new Westinghouse ‘Frost-Free’ Refrigerator. 1995 Nov. 683/2 These [cuttings] are..over-wintered in a frost-free environment. 2002 June 29/1 Jo..has a fear of defrosting the freezer—and a new-style frost-free fridge is singing out to her. the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > mythical creature or object > [noun] > fabulous or mythical human > giant > specific types 1770 T. Percy tr. P. H. Mallet II. ii. 15 One of his [sc. Ymir's] feet begot upon the other a son, from whom is descended the race of the Giants, called from their original, the Giants of the Frost.] 1828 Feb. 215 His one foot begat with the other a son, who is the father of the Frost-giants. 1889 R. B. Anderson tr. V. Rydberg 134 Thor, the divine foe of the frost-giants. 1969 6 79 Ymir gives birth to a frost giant named Thrudhgelmir. 1997 J. Bowker 16/2 Jotunheim was the home of the frost giants, whose intention was to pelt the world with snow and ice. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular fruit-tree or -plant > [noun] > tree or plant producing edible berries > grape-vine > types of 1771 1 261 The frost or winter grape is known to every body. 1850 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1849: Agric. 443 in (31st Congr., 1st Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 20, Pt. 2) VI Besides the common ‘frost-grape’ of the East, we have some excellent native varieties. 1859 J. R. Bartlett (ed. 2) Chicken Grape, the River Grape, or Vitis riparia; also called Frost Grape. 1939 56 156 Forming less than 1% of the pigeons' food were, forty-four seeds of the large-seeded smartweed..and four seeds of the frost grape. 2012 S. S. Weeks et al. 348 Frost grape is a large vine that climbs with tendrils. 1891 W. Schlich II. iii. 6 Scotch Pine and Birch are frost-hardy. 1958 H. G. Sanders (ed. 3) 246 Rape..is frost hardy and therefore its sowing may be as late as mid-September if it is not wanted for folding until late winter. 2005 C. Lane 99/2 Some [sc. heucheras] are evergreen, with frost-hardy foliage; some have frost-hardy flowers, too. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > movement of material > [noun] > disturbance by frost 1853 N. P. Willis Let. 26 Nov. in (1855) 227 They could..outwit the frost-heave. 1957 J. K. Charlesworth I. xxvii. 567 Geologically, it [sc. permafrost] is most important in giving rise to frost thrust..and frost heave. 1986 (Nexis) 21 Sept. x. 10/3 Frost heaves, patches and potholes..can turn bicycling into torture in many areas of the United States. 2001 Jan. 6/1 Watch out for what is technically known as ‘frost heave’. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > movement of material > [adjective] > disturbance by frost 1836 H. Dustan in July 55 From the mountain's jagged walls The frost-heaved crag in thunder falls. 1943 W. C. Krueger in W. S. Moreland xi. 311 The overhead type of spring or weight-balanced door has the advantage that it will not be blocked by snowdrifts or frost-heaved ground. 2007 115 264 Reny's [is] located in Dexter, fifteen miles down a frost-heaved road from our house in Harmony. 1844 Sept. 275/2 The plant seldom acquires sufficient depth and strength of root to stand the frost heaving of winter. 1929 37 430 The maximum amount of frost heaving that occurs during cold winters..is not known. 2005 (Nexis) 22 Sept. d6 Every winter, frost heaving of the concrete slabs plays a role in breaking up the asphalt surface. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [adjective] > intensely cold, freezing, or frosty > frosty > characterized by or covered with hoar frost 1853 C. Brontë I. iv. 71 The ice-bound waters and frost-hoar fields. the world > the earth > land > landscape > low land > hollow or depression > [noun] > other 1895 W. R. Fisher IV. iv. 431 Damp, low-lying places with stagnating air..termed frost-hollows. 1953 H. L. Edlin v. 75 Valley bottoms and slight depressions of the ground in which cold air collects on still, cloudless nights..are known as frost-hollows. 1990 Nov. 89/1 (advt.) If palms will grow outside in Humberside, the chances are they will grow everywhere—except the highest peaks and the coldest frost hollows. the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of visible parts > skin disorders > [noun] > itching diseases 1887 J. F. Payne in 7 May 985/2 (heading) On frost itch, or pruritus hyemalis. 1894 A. Duane Pruritus hiemalis, winter itch, frost-itch. 1921 H. W. Stelwagon (ed. 9) vii. 990 Frost itch..is commonly confined to the lower extremities. the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > [noun] > oil-lamp > argand lamp > types of or lamps used with 1846 Rep. Secretary of Treasury on Improvem. Light-house Syst. 91 in (29th Congr., 1st Sess: Senate Doc. 488) IX It frequently happens that to a stove, must be added a frost lamp for each of the reflectors. 1875 E. H. Knight II. 918/2 Frost-lamp, an oil-lamp placed beneath the oil-tube of an Argand lamp to keep the oil in a flowing condition. 1959 D. A. Stevenson 295/2 (caption) Robert Stevenson's metal parabolic reflector with frost lamp F in 1810. 2010 R. S. Conde ii. 17 This apparatus, in 1849, initially burned Whale oil, from a 24 hour reservoir and utilized a secondary frost lamp in cold weather, to warm the main lamp. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [noun] > freezing or frosty weather > limit of frost 1850 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1849: Arts & Manuf. 248 in (31st Congr., 1st Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 20, Pt. 1) VI Buried as they [sc. stop valves] must be, beneath the frost line in the ground, they can be adjusted..without being removed from their permanent location. 1865 J. G. Whittier 160 While the red logs before us beat The frost-line back with tropic heat. 1964 L. H. Van Vlack (ed. 2) xiii. 385 A paving brick must contain a relatively high percentage of glass, unlike a ‘soft-fired’ drain tile which lies statically below the frost line. 2002 D. D. Chiras i. 41 Below the frost line, the ground stays a fairly constant 50°F. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cloud > mist > [noun] > freezing vapour in atmosphere 1814 W. Scott II. xxiii. 357 A frost-mist rising from the ocean, covered the eastern horizon. View more context for this quotation 1913 B. Browne xii. 139 Seen through the frost-mist we must have looked like mountain elves. 2012 P. Rothwell 393 The frost-mist..hung low over the marshes. the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [noun] > coldness or lack of warm feeling > person 1690 1 A Frost piece by a Dutch master. 1747 S. Richardson I. xxxi. 199 The little hold I have in the heart of this charming frost-piece. 1783 H. Cowley iii. i. 30 What says the little frost-piece, Julia? 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth viii, in 2nd Ser. III. 197 Away, villain, and marshal in this fair frost-piece. 1900 M. H. Spielmann vii. 106 Andrew Schelfhout..who, dying as late as the third quarter of the nineteenth century, is known chiefly for his frost pieces and river scenes. 2008 H. Rubenhold 258 A ‘frost piece’ by the Dutch painter Cuyp. the world > the earth > land > landscape > low land > hollow or depression > [noun] > other 1907 76 In the lower level, or frost pocket, the trees were all injured. 1931 5 118 The leaders of Norway Spruce in small low-lying areas, ‘frost pockets’, are killed back. 2005 Apr. 116/2 As the garden is north-facing and low-lying, it's a real frost pocket. 1863 C. M. Yonge II. vi. ii. 180 The Aasir, or summer gods, are always struggling with the Hrimthusir, or frost powers. 1889 R. B. Anderson tr. V. Rydberg 138 The frost-powers led by Thjasse's kinsmen. 1883 R. H. Thurston I. Index 362 Stones, abrasion of..frost resistance..hardness. 1922 3 134 The opinions of expert horticulturists vary greatly concerning the relative frost resistance of our most common varieties of garden vegetables. 2008 (Nexis) 28 Mar. a18 The real solution is to rebuild much of our road system to meet modern standards of durability and frost resistance. 1887 524 Olivo Vera Fina. An early maturing and frost resistant tree. 1960 11 Aug. 409/1 Ostermann claims that risk of skidding is reduced, potholes will not form, the material is frost-resistant and the need for expansion joints is eliminated. 2007 7 Jan. (Herald-Times ed.) d5/1 Maca, the frost-resistant root that thrives in these frigid Andean highlands. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cloud > mist > [noun] > thick mist or fog > sea-fog > in high latitudes 1659 A. Hay (1901) 210 A frost ryme all day. 1817 W. Scoresby Jrnl. 25 Apr. in (2009) III. 15 Strong gales during the night with some snow & much frost rime. 1856 P. H. Gosse 140 The sea..appeared to smoke, and produced, in the formation of frost-rime, an obscurity greater than that of the thickest fog. 1905 8 July 79/1 Frost rime and icicles..thawed and dripped as one worked at the tables underneath. 2000 T. Harlan 193 The stones were slippery with frost-rime. the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > tree or woody plant > characterized by quality or health > [noun] > damaged or injured > frost-damaged part 1896 22 235 Annual rings of Pinus silvestris and Picea excelsa containing frost rings have..fewer vertical resin ducts. 1960 P. J. Kramer & T. T. Kozlowski ii. 16 Frost rings are most often found near the center of a tree because young shoots are more susceptible to frost injury than are old stems. 2011 J. Stilwell & J. Long ix. 116/1 The trees exhibited no sign of frost rings or drought. 1892 14 May 932/1 Almost every stone will be slate, a material, when not friable, most enduring in our frost-riving clime. 1935 J. H. Bretz in L. A. Boyd 174 Frost riving is prominent in every outcrop. 2012 O. Wings et al. in A. Richter & M. Reich 131 To prevent frost riving during winter, all tracks were first filled with plastic sheets and sand, then covered by tarps and about 20–30 cm of sand. 1863 F. P. Porcher 415 Erigeron philadelphicum..Frost-root. Common in pastures. 1865 179 Onoclea... sensibilis, L. Frost-sensitive Onoclea. 1943 L. R. Dice 56 A number of the plants are frost-sensitive and for this reason do not occur in the Sonoran province to the north. 2012 L. Reich 111 True lemons are frost-sensitive but tolerate cooler growing seasons better than other citrus. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > [adjective] > shod 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne ii. xiii. 354 To say truth, it [sc. self murder] is a meate a man must swallow without chewing, vnlesse his throate be frost-shod [Fr. ferré à glace]. 1765 T. Smollett (1766) II. xxxviii. 216 The mules..were frost-shod for the occasion. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cloud > mist > [noun] > thick mist or fog > sea-fog > in high latitudes 1748 H. Ellis iii. 302 Winds brought with them much of that dusty kind of Snow, into which..the Coldness of the Winter-Air converted the Frost-Smoke. 1853 E. K. Kane (1856) xxix. 241 The frost-smoke is all around us in bistre-colored vapor. 1920 Sept. 303/1 The ship entered a dense curtain of fog or ‘frost smoke’. 2007 P. Webb i. 15 The floes groan and ride up onto each other, then explode in frost smoke. the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > tree or woody plant > characterized by quality or health > [noun] > damaged or injured 1753 Suppl. Frost split, a phrase used by our farmers to express such trees as have large cracks in their trunks and branches. 1910 June 239 A frost split always occurs between two roots or between the collars of two roots. 1922 F. Dorrance tr. P. Sorauer I. 586 (caption) Overgrowing frost split in apple branch, produced by artificial cold. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > [noun] > horseshoe > nail or stud 1864 15 Oct. 824/3 Messrs. Machen, Miller, & Co., Steel, File, and Horse Rasp manufacturers..beg to call the above parties' attention to their newly invented XX steel frost stud, the adoption of which obviates the necessity of removing the shoes when sharpening is required. 1895 21 Jan. 13/6 The sudden change in the weather has checked the demand for skates, frost studs, and heating apparatus. 1930 18 Mar. 13/7 Walter Godding..was kicked to death at Wolverhampton yesterday by a mare in whose hoofs he was fixing frost studs. 1884 26 Jan. 70/3 Japanese palmate-leaved maples... In common with many more excellent shrubs, have for a long time been under the bane of a false frost-tender reputation. 1953 H. L. Edlin v. 75 Frost-tender trees should never be planted in frost-hollows without the protection of a hardier nurse-tree. 2006 Apr. 12/3 In winter I get a lot of pleasure from my frost-tender bulbs. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > movement of material > [noun] > disturbance by frost the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > movement of material > [adjective] > disturbance by frost 1893 7 Oct. 3/2 Any wall to resist the frost-thrust must be at least 12″ thick. 1946 K. Bryan in 244 625 There is no common expression for the lateral thrust resulting from expansion although horizontal as contrasted with vertical frost-thrust would sufficiently carry the meaning. 1951 59 65 Frost-thrust blocks refers to the blocks of rock which have been moved by frost-thrusting. 1984 16 391/2 Frost-thrust wedges..were identified, introducing silt and unweathered material into a narrow surface zone. 2003 C. J. Zabel & R. G. Anthony i. ii. 12 Tree survival often becomes more difficult as the canopy closes because..frost heave and frost thrust increase. 1951 59 65 The writer has found no terms descriptive of these particular phenomena. Consequently..Frost-thrusting is used for the process whereby large blocks of rock have been raised, commonly vertically, or have changed position with respect to the rest of the outcrop, owing to the frost action. 1954 252 55 From their structures we conclude that frost thrusting—lateral soil movement during freezing—plays a major role in their development. 2011 R. J. Huggett (ed. 3) xi. 294/1 Ice formation causes..frost thrusting, which is a horizontal movement of material. c1400 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (Tiber.) f. 145 (MED) In forst tyme [L. tempore gelido]. 1517 J. Skayman Skayman's Bk. 22 Jan. in (Norfolk Rec. Soc.) (1997) 124 A Fryday I was at Beiston with the dekers for to ouerse what lawer ther was gatherd thys frost tyme. 1596 W. Gryndall sig. Iijv Also some vse to set Springes, which is made with a running knot,..which is good to bee set in frost time in springs for Woodcocks and Snipes. 1752 Feb. 60/3 (table) Time of planting..about frost time. 1832 W. D. Williamson I. 125 A plentiful annual plant..it flowers from mid-summer till frost-time. 1929 (U.S. Dept. Agric.) 15 If we can not clean up before frost time, it is often a good thing to pasture our fields with livestock. 2007 K. Barham xiv. 99 It was mid-October, and frost time was near. 1902 1843/1 It has been impossible to give precise information as to the exact degree of frost tolerance of the several species. 1987 24 674 Variation in frost tolerance occurs among European populations of several perennial grasses. 2006 (Nexis) 27 Apr. e9 Researchers found the transgenic canola and flax had increased frost tolerance by two to four degrees Celsius. 1930 20 987 (heading) Frost-tolerant and blight-resistant potatoes. 1956 Sept. 44/2 Emerald zoysia..is one of the most beautiful lawn grasses to be seen in the South. It is also the most frost-tolerant. 2002 L. Hodgson 225 Although frost tolerant to a considerable degree once it is established, Japanese hops will begin to die back at season's end. society > occupation and work > equipment > conveyor > [noun] > conduit, channel, or tube > pipe > for water > valve of 1865 4 Aug. 68/3 A pipe may be fitted for carrying off the waste water from the frost valve into a drain. 2010 7/2 This arrangement can also utilise a temperature sensitive frost valve. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > [noun] > other medicinal plants 1817 2 56/2 Dr. Mitchill, President of the Society, presented..a perfect specimen of the Cistus Caradensis [sic], or frost weed. 1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Frost-weed, Helianthemum canadense. 1930 F. Woodhull in J. F. Dobie (1965) 52 Indians used tea from the roots of the squaw-weed, or frostweed, for relieving cramps. 2002 Nov. 22 (caption) Gardeners think that frost puts an end to the aesthetic appeal of perennials. Not so with our Ozark native frostweed. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > [noun] > other medicinal plants 1814 S. Henry 126 This new discovered plant grows in the woods on Long-Island..and is known by the name of frostwort, from its colour. 1915 402/1 Frostwort; used as a diuretic. 2006 S. Micklem 10 The frostwort of late winter bloomed beside the corona of high summer. 1804 A. Duncan I. 163 The continual sensation of excessive cold and pressing hunger, the pain of the frost wounds. 1856 E. K. Kane II. iii. 45 One [suffering] from frost-wounds. 1988 I. M. Smith et al. vi. 158/1 They [sc. bacteria] enter healthy plants through pruning or frost wounds. 2003 (Nexis) 25 Aug. 14 Despite his frost wounds, the headmaster was still a game climber. Derivatives 1621 T. Granger xi. 296 It is ouerdrie and frost-like, the seed will not come vp. 1832 Ld. Tennyson Palace of Art xxxvi, in (new ed.) 79 From shadowed grots of arches interlaced, And topped with frostlike spires. 2008 P. Parratore 27 The salt will appear on your paper as frost-like white crystals. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). frostv. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: frost n. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > shoe [verb (transitive)] > with specific type of shoe the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > shoeing of horses > shoe [verb (transitive)] > put in frost-nails 1572 in J. Gage (1822) 192 For frosting the cart-horses at Thetford..vd. 1665 S. Pepys 26 Nov. (1972) VI. 309 I..set out, after my horses being frosted (which I know not what it means to this day). 1733 B. Franklin Slippery Sidewalks 11 Jan. in (1959) I. 318 Walking the Street one of these late slippery Mornings, I caught two terrible Falls, which made me..get my Shoes frosted. 1752 J. MacSparran (1753) 39 With a Horse well caulk'd and frosted, 'tis fine Travelling. 1831 J. Sinclair II. 189 I could not get the shoes of my horses frosted. 1877 E. Peacock Frost, to turn up the hinder part of a horse's shoes, or to put frost-nails in them to hinder the animal from slipping on ice. 1923 19 June 7 There was a race to the smiddy to get the ‘horse frostit’. 2009 27 Nov. 43/3 Frosting horseshoes is the equivalent of adding snow chains to car tyres for better grip. the world > life > the body > hair > colour of hair > [verb (transitive)] > white the world > matter > colour > named colours > white or whiteness > whitening > make white [verb (transitive)] 1596 M. Drayton sig. B2v And though cold age had frosted his faire haires, It rather seem'd for sorrow then for yeares. 1612 O. Gibbons Cantus sig. C4 Yet if that age had frosted ore his head,..I would not thus bemone that hee is dead. 1659 T. Pecke i. 19 Your beard, once black, cold age hath frosted gray; Your mind, once white, is turn'd to black, they say. 1834 4 Oct. 316/1 The aged veteran of the revolution, whose head is frosted over by the winters of many years. 1889 W. R. Hodges in W. Montgomery I. xxvi. 286 I recall now three men, with heads frosted by time. 1940 R. T. Marsh xxi. 259 Now the winters of age have frosted his hair. 3. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [verb (transitive)] > cover with frost 1614 sig. B Inuierno or Winter, attired like an old man, in a short gowne of silke shagge, like withered grasse all frosted and snowed ouer. 1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi 153 Such beauties as Aurora takes oft-times pleasure, in first frosting over with her canded dewes, and then painting with her more lively colours the Rheineberry or full-ripe Cherry. 1791 E. Darwin i. 73 Nitre..frosts with branching plumes the mouldering walls. 1793 W. Wordsworth 25 The rising moon, Frosting with hoary light the pearly ground. 1827 7 Apr. 112/2 Not many winters have frosted the hills, since [etc.]. 1861 22 Oct. These camps increase in number and in size till the white canvass frosts every knoll. 1890 C. Dixon ii. 26 He frosts the feathers of some [birds] with gold and silver. 1983 A. J. Menendez v. 61 Snow lay on the ground, and ice frosted the window-panes. 1999 R. Deakin (2000) xii. 134 The sun was audibly frying the..seaweed that fringed the rock pools, frosting them with salt. 1895 5 Feb. 8/3 He presented a scheme for an inexpensive and efficient protection, so made that the glass will not frost over. 1915 Aug. 82/1 I am figuring on a refrigerated showcase for displaying brick ice cream... [Some] ice machine factories..say..it will be a failure on account of the glass frosting over. 1996 10 Mar. Empire Mag. 14/2 With..a moustache that frosts up when he's ice-climbing. 2007 M. Marshall xxviii. 251 The sky frosted over and clouds crept down out of it to touch the land. 4. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > make cold [verb (transitive)] > affect or injure with intense cold or frost 1623 G. Fletcher 120 All the flowers of Paradise..sun-burnt & frosted with the heat and cold of this tempestuous world, looke black and homely. a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Beggers Bush iii. ii. in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) 84 Thou boystrous North-wind, blowing my mis-fortunes, And frosting all my hopes to cakes of coldnesse. 1652 J. Shirley Brothers i. 9 in (1653) It frosted my devotion To gaze on her. 1799 Jan. 19/1 The curl in potatoes is supposed to be produced by the seeds or sets having been frosted. 1818 J. Keats iii. 114 At this a surpris'd start Frosted the springing verdure of his heart. 1871 J. S. Blackie i. 49 Individuals whose social sympathies have been frosted in early life. 1978 G. Wickham in W. D. Howarth ii. 60 It encouraged satire of an outrageously outspoken kind—but it frosted the gentler forms of comic release. 2004 S. M. Evans ix. 291/2 His grain crop had been frosted yet again the previous year. 1862 21 Oct. 573/2 Suckers come up tall instead, and they having not sufficient time to ripen get frosted-off. 1884 Ld. Tennyson i. iv. 77 The golden leaves, these earls and barons, that clung to me, frosted off me by the first cold frown of the King. 1909 3 Apr. 8/1 A large clump of Bananas, which had had the leaves frosted off in winter, were putting out a fresh crown. 1991 L. Reich 76 The green leaves are sometimes frosted off the plant before they have a chance to put on their show. the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > garnishing > garnish [verb (transitive)] > ice or coat with sugar 1827 ‘M. Dods’ (ed. 2) iii. v. 436 To ice or frost a Bride's-Cake, or very large Plum-Cake. 1911 F. M. Farmer x. 229 Remove from pan, frost and decorate. 1969 23 Mar. 9 c/4 Gerri has trouble keeping her Red Velvet cake around long enough to frost. 2008 (Nexis) 19 Mar. After frosting the cookies, I decorated them with spring- and Easter-theme sprinkles. 1832 G. R. Porter 310 The grinding of glass, or frosting it, in order to lessen its transparency. 1897 6 2524/1 If a slight effect only is required, as in obscuring the face of glass or in frosting metal, a pressure of only a few pounds to the inch is sufficient. 1920 Sept. 31/1 It is often convenient to frost bulbs and lenses, and here is a method by which this work may be done at home. 1959 M. Renault i. 7 A piece of green bottle smoothed and frosted by the sea. 2005 264 Glass etching solution..can be used to frost glass. 1896 G. Ade xvi. 151 There was a kid cousin o' mine, Rutherford Hayes Blanchard.—wouldn't that name frost you? 1910 C. M'Govern vii. 96 ‘Them fellers wot write books like to be showing up their fine edications!.. Wot do you think of this word: “E-R-S-T-WHILE”? Wouldn't that frozt [sic] your Galways?’ And Sergeant Waldron threw the precious novel away. 1951 J. Wilson 233 ‘Now wouldn't that frost your balls,’ he grumbled. ‘I'm runnin' that pot-licker in the state trials next week and he's lettin' a spindly-assed pup out-run him!’ 1972 C. Buchanan xix. 176 You hung-up backwoods professional virgin types frost me so much I could scream. 2010 J. Shepard in 8 Nov. 71/1 Then she'd say something else wrong the next time, just to frost my ass. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.eOE v.1572 |
