thaw
/θɔ/ verb B2- To gradually cause (something frozen, such as earth, ice, or snow) to melt or soften by raising the temperature.
- To gradually cause (someone or something that is very cold) to warm up.
- To cause (something inactive) to become active; also, to cause (something unfeeling) to have feelings.
- To cause (someone or their feelings that are reserved or unfriendly) to become friendly or gentle.
- Of something frozen, such as earth, ice, or snow: to gradually melt or soften as a result of the temperature being raised. · the ice thaws
- Of someone or something that is very cold: to gradually warm up.
- With the dummy pronoun it: of the weather: to become sufficiently warm for ice, snow, etc., to melt. · It’s beginning to thaw.
- Of a person or their feelings that are reserved or unfriendly: to become friendly or gentle. · Her anger has thawed.· The atmosphere at the meeting never really thawed.
Plural thaw · He/she/it thaws · Past thawed · Past participle thawed · -ing form thawing
Verb forms
- Base form
- thaw
- He/she/it
- thaws
- Past
- thawed
- Past participle
- thawed
- -ing form
- thawing
From the library
When the thaw set in, he led them all out to feed, and the Wild Goats scampered away as fast as they could to the mountains.
She learned her lessons at home, did her chores, and played with Diana in the chilly purple autumn twilights; but when she met Gilbert Blythe on the road or encountered him in Sunday-school she passed him by with an icy contempt that was no whit thawed by his evident desire to appease her.
Other matches
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