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Antifreeze: meaning, definitions and examples

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antifreeze

 

[ ˈæntɪˌfriz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

chemistry, automotive

Antifreeze is a substance that is added to a liquid to lower its freezing point. Typically, it is a mixture of water and chemicals such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Antifreeze is commonly used in vehicle engines to prevent the coolant from freezing in cold weather. Additionally, it can be used in heating systems and pipelines to avoid freezing in low temperatures. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency and safety of machinery that operates in extreme climates.

Synonyms

coolant, engine coolant, freeze depressant

Examples of usage

  • Make sure to check your antifreeze levels before winter.
  • The mechanic recommended adding antifreeze to the radiator.
  • Antifreeze helps in preventing engine damage during cold weather.

Translations

Translations of the word "antifreeze" in other languages:

🇵🇹 anticongelante

🇮🇳 एंटीफ्रीज़

🇩🇪 Frostschutzmittel

🇮🇩 pendingin

🇺🇦 антифриз

🇵🇱 płyn chłodniczy

🇯🇵 不凍液

🇫🇷 antigel

🇪🇸 anticongelante

🇹🇷 antifriz

🇰🇷 냉각수

🇸🇦 مضاد التجمد

🇨🇿 nemrznoucí směs

🇸🇰 nemrznúca zmes

🇨🇳 防冻液

🇸🇮 antifriz

🇮🇸 frystifor

🇰🇿 мұздатқыш

🇬🇪 ყინვაგამძლე

🇦🇿 anti-donma

🇲🇽 anticongelante

Etymology

The term 'antifreeze' derives from the prefix 'anti-', meaning 'against' or 'opposite', and the word 'freeze', indicating its primary function to prevent freezing. The concept of antifreeze can be traced back to the early 20th century when automotive engineering began to incorporate methods to keep vehicle engines operational in colder climates. Initially, substances like alcohol were used, but they posed safety and environmental concerns. As technology progressed, synthetic chemicals such as ethylene glycol emerged due to their effectiveness in lowering the freezing point of water while being less volatile than their predecessors. Over time, antifreeze formulations have evolved to include various additives to enhance corrosion resistance and lubricate engine components. Today, antifreeze is an essential component in modern automotive and industrial applications.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,863, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.