Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for ICE
ICE, n. [Sax. is, isa; G. eis; D. ys; Dan. iis; Sw. and Ice. is; Ir. cuise. The true orthography would be ise. The primary sense is doubtless to set, to fix, to congeal or harden. It may be allied to the G. eisen, iron; perhaps also to L. os, a bone.]
- Water or other fluid congealed, or in a solid state; a solid, transparent, brittle substance, formed by the congelation of a fluid, by means of the abstraction of the heat necessary to preserve its fluidity, or to use common language, congealed by cold.
- Concreted sugar. To break the ice, is to make the first opening to any attempt; to remove the first obstructions or difficulties; to open the way. Shak. Ice period, a period supposed to have occurred after the tertiary formations were deposited, in which, at least, the frigid and temperate zones were covered with a coat of ice.
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