Definition of "thaw"

thaw

/θɔː/

verb
third-person singular simple present thaws, present participle thawing, simple past and past participle thawed
1. (intransitive) To gradually melt, dissolve, or become fluid; to soften from frozen
2. (intransitive) To become so warm as to melt ice and snow — said in reference to the weather, and used impersonally.
3. (intransitive, figuratively) To grow gentle or genial.
4. (transitive) To gradually cause frozen things (such as earth, snow, ice) to melt, soften, or dissolve.
  Quotations
  Mor. Miſlike me not for my complexion, / The ſhadowed liuerie of the burniſht ſunne, / To whom I am a neighbour,and neere bred. / Bring me the faireſt creature North-ward borne, / Where Phœbus fire ſcarce thawes the yſicles, / And let vs make inciſion for your loue, / To proue whoſe blood is reddeſt,his or mine.
  c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i], page 167
  The frame of burnish'd steel, that cast a glare / From far, and seemed to thaw the freezing air.
  1700, [John] Dryden, Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]
noun
plural thaws
1. The melting of ice, snow, or other frozen or congealed matter; the transformation of ice or the like into the state of a fluid; liquefaction by heat of anything congealed by frost
2. a period of weather warm enough to melt that which is frozen
  Quotations
  raging floods pursue their hasty thaw; / Our thaw was mild , the cold not chased away
  1660, [John] Dryden, Astraea Redux
3. (figuratively) A period of relaxation, of reduced reserve, tension, or hostility or of increased friendliness or understanding.

Definition of "thaw"

thaw

verb

Quotations

noun

Quotations