thawn.
/θɔː/, U.S. /θɔ/, /θɑ/ 1. The melting of ice and snow after a frost; the condition of the weather caused by the rise of temperature above the freezing point.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > absence of frost > thaw
thaw14..
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 586/9 Gelicidium, thawe.
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) V. 56 The Lake of Brecnok ons frosen over, and than in a Thaue breking maketh mervelus Noise.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 441 Vpon a sodaine thawe, the floodes agayne encrease.
1634–5 W. Laud Diary in Wks. (1853) III. 223 The Thames was frozen over,..A mighty flood at the thaw.
1686 tr. J. Chardin Trav. Persia 349 It becomes so furious when swell'd by the Thaws of the Snow.
1726 J. Thomson Winter (ed. 2) 51 The Frost..resolves, into a trickling Thaw.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 142 By heavy rainfall, or by rapid thaw of snow.
2.
a. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. v. 108 A man of my Kidney..that am as subiect to heate as butter; a man of continuall dissolution, and thaw . View more context for this quotation
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 129 If the Sun of Righteousness will arise upon him, his frozen Heart shall feel a Thaw . View more context for this quotation
1794 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 744 But my white pow—nae kindly thowe Shall melt the snaws of Age.
1817 Ld. Byron Manfred ii. ii. 202 Now I tremble And feel a strange cold thaw upon my heart.
b. spec. A becoming less cold, formal, or reserved.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [noun] > freedom from awkwardness in style or behaviour > instance of becoming less cold or reserved
thaw1840
1840 M. Edgeworth Let. 30 Dec. (1971) 575 Lord Monteagle seated himself..beside Miss Edgeworth who had..made him rather a drawback stand-off curtsey... He seemed determined there should be a thaw.
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) v. 44 Such temporary indications of a partial thaw as had appeared with her, vanished with her.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iii. 165 That thaw Of rigid disapproval into dew Of sympathy.
c. Politics. A relaxation of control or restriction; a lessening of harshness, hostility, etc.; spec. that which occurred in the U.S.S.R. after the death of Stalin in 1953.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > [noun] > lessening of strictness or severity
remiss1589
relaxation1593
relax1597
remorse of equity1597
relentment1628
thaw1950
1950 Times 13 June 5/3 The statement on foreign policy is the latest symptom of a thaw in Labour doctrine.
1956 R. Macaulay Towers of Trebizond ii. 19 She had started..working away at Russian visas..some time before the Great Thaw.
1957 Economist 30 Nov. 787/2 When the Polish thaw made emigration again possible, some of these ‘autochthons’ joined the queue.
1969 A. G. Frank Lat. Amer. xxi. 338 In the countries that took the Marxist road there was an increase in freedom or a noticeable thaw after a relatively short period of time.
1971 Guardian 13 Sept. 10/1 Krushchev inaugurated the thaw that mitigated some of the harsh intolerance of Stalinist communism.
1981 Times 2 Nov. 8/7 Andrei Voznesensky, arguably Russia's greatest living poet..mirrored the hopes and naivety of the post-Stalin thaw.
Compounds
attributive and in other combinations, as thaw-rain, thaw-time, thaw-water, thaw-wind (cf. German tauwind); thaw-cold, thaw-cloven, thaw-swamped adjs.
ΚΠ
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 335 In the minute in which they began to march [on the ice], a thaw wind blew very fresh.
1814 Ld. Byron in L. Hunt Autobiog. (1850) II. 318 I have been snow-bound and thaw-swamped..for nearly a month.
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound ii. iii. 78 A howl Of cataracts from their thaw-cloven ravines.
1820 P. B. Shelley Vision of Sea in Prometheus Unbound 175 It splits like the ice when the thaw-breezes blow.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House iii. 15 She gave me one cold parting kiss upon my forehead, like a thaw-drop from the stone porch.
1890 R. L. Stevenson Let. to H. James 29 Dec. My theories melt, and..the thaw-waters wash down my writing.
1917 D. H. Lawrence Look! We have come Through! 156 They are the flowers of ice-vivid mortification, thaw-cold, ice-corrupt blossoms.
1947 K. M. Wells Owl Pen (1950) v. xiii. 76 He bumped and slithered over the ice the thaw had laid bare. He splashed through thaw water.
1976 Times Lit. Suppl. 23 July 926/3 Lush new green and blue sky reflected in the thaw-waters.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
thawv.
/θɔː/, U.S. /θɔ/, /θɑ/ 1. β. c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame iii. 53 They [letters] were almost of thowed so That of the lettres oon or two Was molte away of euery name.c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 492/1 Thowyn or meltyn, as snowe and other lyke, resolvo.1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 46 To thow the pypes and schokles of yce.1894 A. Reid Sangs Heatherland 107 Storms that time had thowed.
a. transitive. To reduce (a frozen substance, as ice or snow) to a liquid state by raising its temperature above the freezing point; to melt (a frozen liquid). Also thaw out (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > thaw
thawc1000
the world > matter > liquid > making or becoming liquid > action or process of melting > melt [verb (transitive)] > thaw
thawc1000
uncongeal1593
unthaw1598
c1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 274 Se wind [Zephirus] towyrpð and ðawað ælcne winter.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 755/1 Sette the potte to the fyre to thawe the water.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. i. 5 Where Phœbus fire scarce thawes the ysicles.
1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated ii. v. 79 Riuers..by a remission of the cold are thawed.
a1704 T. Brown London & Lacedemonian Oracles in 3rd Vol. Wks. (1708) iii. 138 After the Snow is thawn.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 349 Mr. Bailly will sooner thaw the eternal ice of his atlantic regions, than restore the central heat to Paris. View more context for this quotation
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 64 Until the warmth of summer returns to thaw it [the snow].
b. figurative.
ΚΠ
1615 W. Mure Misc. Poems viii. 43 Lat beuties beames then thau away..The ycinesse of loues delay.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. iv. 198 Iulia that I loue, (That I did loue, for now my loue is thaw'd..like a waxen Image'gainst a fire..). View more context for this quotation
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd iii. iii. Prol. To whisper out his melting flame, And thow his lassie's breast.
1785 M. Cutler Let. 28 Feb. in W. P. Cutler & J. P. Cutler Life, Jrnls. & Corr. M. Cutler (1888) II. 228 This cold snowy winter has considerably cooled my zeal, but when I get thawed out, in the spring, perhaps it may return.
1821 P. B. Shelley Adonais i. 7 O, weep for Adonais! though our tears Thaw not the frost which binds so dear a head.
2.
a. intransitive. Of ice, snow, or other substance: To pass from a frozen to a liquid or semi-liquid state; to melt under the influence of warmth: esp. by rise of temperature after frost. Also thaw out (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > making or becoming liquid > action or process of melting > melt [verb (intransitive)] > thaw
thawc1325
uncongeal1593
regeal1653
unfreeze1662
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (intransitive)] > become clear of frost > thaw
thawc1325
c1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesw. in Wright Voc. 147 Après gelé vent remoyl [gloss] thowyng.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 453 Many brugges..were i-broke of þe þowynge [v.r. þewinge] of þe yse.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 755/1 I thawe, as snowe or yce dothe for heate.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Thawe as yse dothe, egelidor.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 628 As often as the Yce thereon doth thaw.
1656 Manasseh ben Israel Vindiciæ Judæorum i. 9 The pond thawd.
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 138 Abundance of snow, which thawing in the heat of Summer [etc.].
1835 J. H. Ingraham South-West I. iii. 33 When vessels in their winter voyages..become coated with ice,..they seek the genial warmth of this region to ‘thaw out’.
1880 S. Haughton Six Lect. Physical Geogr. iv. 195 The water freezes in November and thaws in May.
1887 I. Randall Lady's Ranche Life Montana 33 Before I can begin to write this letter the ink must be put down by the fire to thaw out, as it is frozen solid.
b. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. ii. 130 O that this too too sallied flesh would melt, thaw and resolue it selfe into a dewe. View more context for this quotation
1849 D. M. Mulock Ogilvies xxix He..thawed into positive enthusiasm beneath the sunshine of her influence.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Atalanta in Calydon 2104 I would that as water My life's blood had thawn.
1905 A. C. Benson Upton Lett. (1906) 293 The dreariness of my heart thawed and melted into peace and calm.
3. impersonal. it thaws: said of the cessation of a frost, when the ice, snow, etc. begin to melt.
ΚΠ
c1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesw. in Wright Voc. 160 Ore gele, freset; Ore remet, thouet.
c1425 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 665/2 Degelat, thowes.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 755/1 It thaweth a pace.
1709 London Gaz. No. 4507/3 This Morning it began to thaw.
1912 N.E.D. at Thaw Mod. The frost seems to be giving way; I expect it will thaw before night.
4.
a. transitive. To free from the physical effect of frost; to unfreeze; said usually in reference to a non-liquid substance rigid with frost, also to a person or animal affected by extreme cold.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > heating or making hot > heat or make hot [verb (transitive)] > unfreeze
unfreeze1598
unfrost1611
thawa1616
defreeze1922
de-ice1935
defrost1937
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 8 My very lippes might freeze to my teeth,..ere I should come by a fire to thaw me. View more context for this quotation
1665 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 48 The frozen Bodies will be harmlessly thawed.
1728 A. Ramsay Anacreontic on Love 21 I..his handies thow'd.
1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux III. v. ii. 26 After I was lodged, thawed, and fed, I fell fast asleep.
1883 W. Aitken Lays of Line 98 (E.D.D.) The whusky thowed their Hielan' bluid.
1887 I. Randall Lady's Ranche Life Montana 144 You have to thaw a bit before you can put it in a horse's mouth.
b. To make limp (anything stiff).Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. xv. 307 Speak..at farther distance, so please you—your breath thaws our ruff.
5. intransitive. To become unfrozen; to become flexible or limp by rise of temperature.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > become soft [verb (intransitive)] > by becoming unfrozen
thaw1596
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > be hot [verb (intransitive)] > become unfrozen
uncongeal1593
thaw1596
unfreeze1662
defrost1957
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 46 Gif ony frosin thing be put athir in the loch or in the riuer, it thowis fra hand.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 122 We found it worse when the Sun was up, and the ground began to Thaw.
1850–6 O. W. Holmes Spring 25 The bog's green harper, thawing from his sleep, Twangs a hoarse note.
6. figurative.
a. transitive. To soften to sympathy or geniality; to break down coldness and reserve.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > capacity for emotion > sensitiveness or tenderness > make (more) sensitive or tender [verb (transitive)]
opena1350
softenc1429
thaw1582
entender1591
undull1654
unsteel1748
to open up1963
society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > appease or propitiate
soft?c1225
queema1325
appeasec1374
pleasea1382
softena1382
mollifya1450
pacifya1500
apeace1523
temper1525
mitigatea1535
qualify?c1550
thaw1582
propitiate1583
aslake1590
smooth1608
to lay down1629
addulce1655
sweeten1657
acquiesce1659
gentle1663
palliate1678
placate1678
conciliate1782
to pour oil on the waters (also on troubled waters)1847
square1859
square1945
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > be courteous to [verb (transitive)] > make genial
unstarch1616
thaw1740
genialize1821
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 26 Wee thawde with weeping doo pardon francklye the villeyn.
1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra i. xvi. 116 An extraordinary occasion melts and thaws down the natural affections of Men.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxxi. 280 She is a charming Girl, and may be thaw'd by Kindness.
1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xv. 191 Tea even fails to thaw completely their reserve.
1889 J. Jefferson Autobiogr. (1891) xii. 329 A hopeless endeavor to thaw him out.
b. intransitive. Of a person, his feelings, manner, etc.: To become softened or ‘melted’ in feeling; to throw off coldness and reserve; to unbend.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > capacity for emotion > sensitiveness or tenderness > become (more) sensitive or tender [verb (intransitive)]
tender1390
soften1565
thaw1598
open1713
to open up1968
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > be sociable [verb (intransitive)] > throw off coldness or reserve
thaw1598
untune1609
unbend1746
relax1836
to let (take) one's (back) hair down1850
unbuckle1886
1598 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 3 Last Bks. iv. iv. 34 He thaw's like Chaucers frosty Ianiuere; And sets a Months minde vpon smyling May.
a1631 J. Donne Valedict. my Name ix And thou begin'st to thaw towards him for this, May my name step in.
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time II. ix. 192 Pride of rank And office, thawed into paternal love.
1900 E. Glyn Visits of Elizabeth (1906) 18 He.. went on talking in the friendliest way, but I would not thaw.
7. The verb-stem in combination forming nouns, as thaw-house, thaw point.
ΚΠ
1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 Aug. 7/2 Dynamite..is received at the work in a frozen state, and stored in a big magazine. From this receptacle it is taken to the thaw-house as needed.
1902 Daily Chron. 28 May 8/5 When ‘thaw’ points were needed, through which steam was forced into the hard ground, they were improvised out of rifle barrels.
Derivatives
thawed adj. /θɔːd/ warmed so as to melt (as ice), softened; thawed out, also, put out of work or action by a thaw.
/θɔːd/ warmed so as to melt (as ice), softened; thawed out, also, put out of work or action by a thaw.ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > [adjective] > becoming hot or warm > unfrozen
unfrozen1633
thawed1774
the world > matter > liquid > making or becoming liquid > action or process of melting > [adjective] > melted > thawed
thawed1774
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 247 Clefts, from whence the thawed water trickles out.
1885 Harper's Mag. Dec. 86/2 The now thawed-out and almost genial Miss Lisle.
1894 Westm. Gaz. 19 Jan. 7/2 The thawed-out skaters equalised matters by holding a carnival on wheel skates at the Wandsworth Rink last night.
1942 W. Faulkner Go down, Moses & Other Stories 240 They plunged down the bank, slipping and sliding in the thawed earth.
ˈthawing adj. that thaws, melting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > making or becoming liquid > action or process of melting > [adjective] > thawing
thawing1646
unbindinga1800
1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 1 Thawing Crystall! Snowy Hills! Still spending, never spent.
1806 W. Henry Epitome Chem. (ed. 4) i. iii. 35 The temperature of melting snow, or of thawing ice.
1942 W. Faulkner Go down, Moses & Other Stories 238 Out of the wet and thawing woods.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.14..v.c1000- a snip of a
- a snowball's chance
- a snowball's chance in hell
- a sock in the eye
- a soft answer turneth away wrath
- a soft fire makes sweet malt
- a soft pace
- a sometime thing
- a son's a son until he takes a wife, but a daughter's a daughter all her life
- a song in one's heart
- a song of robin hood
- a soon start
- a soon start in the morning
- a sore head
- a sore sc sair head
- a sort
- a sort of
- a sort of a…
- a sort of, o', a, sorter
- a soum of sheep
- a space
- a spare prick
- a spark in one's throat
- a species of
- a specified age going on