Thaw
WordNet
noun
(1) A relaxation or slackening of tensions or reserve; becoming less hostile
"The thaw between the United States and Russia has led to increased cooperation in world affairs"
(2) Warm weather following a freeze; snow and ice melt
"They welcomed the spring thaw"
(3) The process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
"The power failure caused a refrigerator melt that was a disaster"
"The thawing of a frozen turkey takes several hours"
verb
(4) Become or cause to become soft or liquid
"The sun melted the ice"
"The ice thawed"
"The ice cream melted"
"The heat melted the wax"
"The giant iceberg dissolved over the years during the global warming phase"
"Dethaw the meat"
WiktionaryText
Verb
- To melt, dissolve, or become fluid; to soften; — said of that which is frozen; as, the ice thaws. Specifically by gradual warming
- To become so warm as to melt ice and snow; — said in reference to the weather, and used impersonally.
- To grow gentle or genial.
- To cause frozen things (such as earth, snow, ice) to melt, soften, or dissolve. Specifically by gradual warming.
Noun
- The melting of ice, snow, or other congealed matter; the resolution of ice, or the like, into the state of a fluid; liquefaction by heat of anything congealed by frost
- a warmth of weather sufficient to melt that which is congealed. —Dryden.