freezing

comparative more freezing · superlative most freezing

1. literallySuffering or causing frost.
2. broadlyexcessiveVery cold.

   Synonyms: ice-cold, icy, cutting

3. The freezing point of water, zero degrees celsius.

   Despite this, the average temperature at the surface [of Mars] is 50–60K below freezing, making it hard to imagine that any plants or animals could survive.

   1998, Bruce Jakosky, The Search for Life on Other Planets

4. Aloof, unfriendly.

   Jeff unconsciously reached out to touch the pewter casket, but was intercepted by the mother. She whisked his hand away with freezing politeness and said simply, "He's gone now."

   1986, Craig G. Harris, “Cut Off from Among Their People”, in Joseph Beam, editor, In The Life: A Black Gay Anthology, page 64

   1 more example

   He turned at the door of the inner office and dropped a freezing eye on the offender. "Get those letters copied before you go out to lunch, Binns," he remarked in a sufficiently loud voice.

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

plural freezings

1. countableuncountableThe change in state of a substance from liquid to solid by cooling to a critically low temperature.

   The temp in the mountains may/can fall below freezing at this time of year.

   2 more examples

   Hence, there is a succession of thawings and freezings. The former expand, and endeavour to restore the surface of the ground to its natural condition, while the latter contract and harden it.

   1829, James Macauley, The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New York

   […] and the sloping collection of fractured rocks—known as talus—that tumbled down from the quartzite bluffs during the repeated freezings and unfreezings of the last Ice Age.

   2015, Kevin Revolinski, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Madison (page 116)

2. countablemedicineThe action of numbing with anesthetics.

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of freeze