Gelidest Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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gelidest
[ʤəˈlaɪdɛst ]
Definition
cold temperature
Gelidest describes a state of being extremely cold or frigid. It is often used to emphasize the severity of coldness, particularly in weather or environmental settings.
Synonyms
chilly, freezing, frigid, icy.
Examples of usage
- The gelidest winter in decades has arrived.
- She shivered in the gelidest breeze of the evening.
- The gelidest temperatures recorded in the region surprised everyone.
- His hands felt gelidest after being exposed to the snow.
Translations
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Origin of 'gelidest'
The word 'gelidest' is derived from the root word 'gelid', which comes from the Latin word 'gelidus' meaning 'frosty' or 'icy'. The prefix 'gel-' relates to the concept of coldness, originating from the Latin 'gelu', which means frost or ice. In English literature, 'gelid' and its variations have been used since at least the early 19th century to describe cold temperatures or chilling environments. The superlative form 'gelidest' likely evolved to provide an extreme emphasis on the coldness, much like 'coldest' is used in common parlance. Its usage remains more poetic and descriptive, often found in literature, weather reports, and meteorological descriptions. The concept of extreme cold is integral to many cultures, especially in regions that experience harsh winters.