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Gelid: meaning, definitions and examples

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gelid

 

[ ˈdʒɛlɪd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

temperature description

Gelid refers to something that is extremely cold or icy. This adjective is often used to describe temperatures that are so low they can cause discomfort or even danger. The term captures a sense of intense chill that can be felt in the atmosphere or in physical objects. In literature, gelid is sometimes employed to convey a mood of despair or isolation through the harshness of cold.

Synonyms

chilly, freezing, frigid, icy, polar

Examples of usage

  • The gelid winds swept across the plains.
  • We had to brave the gelid temperatures at the summit.
  • The gelid waters of the lake deterred most swimmers.
  • I could feel the gelid touch of the ice on my skin.

Translations

Translations of the word "gelid" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gelado

🇮🇳 जमीन

🇩🇪 eiskalt

🇮🇩 dingin

🇺🇦 ледяний

🇵🇱 lodowaty

🇯🇵 氷の

🇫🇷 glacial

🇪🇸 gelido

🇹🇷 buz gibi

🇰🇷 얼음 같은

🇸🇦 جليدي

🇨🇿 ledový

🇸🇰 ľadový

🇨🇳 冰冷的

🇸🇮 ledeni

🇮🇸 ís kaldur

🇰🇿 мұздай

🇬🇪 ყინულის

🇦🇿 donmuş

🇲🇽 gélido

Word origin

The word 'gelid' originates from the Latin word 'gelidus', which translates to 'icy' or 'frozen'. Its roots can be traced further back to the Latin verb 'gelare', meaning 'to freeze'. The term has been in use since the early 17th century and has maintained its association with extreme cold throughout its history. In English literature, 'gelid' has been used poetically to create vivid imagery of cold environments, often evoking feelings of desolation or intensity. Over time, the word has found its way into scientific literature, where it describes frigid conditions in various contexts, including meteorology and environmental studies.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,023, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.