noun / verb
frost
FRAWST/frɔːst/
A pale coating of fine ice crystals.
Delicate frost coats a green leaf and the edge of a window.
Etymology
Old English frost named both freezing cold and frozen precipitation. The surface-crystal sense preserves the concrete side of that meaning: the visible deposits associated with freezing conditions.
In context
water vapor changes to frost on these seed pods the pond freezes over and an icy Frost forms on the branches of this pine tree
More examples
- She scrapes the frost off her windshield.
- The windows frost over when the temperature drops.
- A thin layer of frost sparkles on the grass.
Forms
frost · frosts · frosted · frosting
frosty adjective — Covered with fine crystals of ice.
Similar words
- hoarfrost
- Specifically describes frost with a feathery or branching crystal structure.
- rime
- Forms when supercooled water droplets freeze onto a surface.