Refrigerable: meaning, definitions and examples
🧊
refrigerable
[ rɪˈfrɪdʒəbl ]
food preservation
Refrigerable describes items that can be stored in a refrigerator to keep them fresh and safe from spoilage. Food and beverages are commonly referred to as refrigerable when they require low temperatures for preservation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Milk is refrigerable and should be stored in the fridge.
- Certain fruits are refrigerable to extend their shelf life.
- Most deli meats are refrigerable and need to be kept chilled.
Etymology
The term 'refrigerable' is derived from the Latin word 'refrigerare,' which means 'to cool' or 'to make cool.' This root came into English usage in the early 19th century as the technology for refrigeration began to develop and become more commonplace in food preservation. The suffix '-able' indicates the ability of an object to undergo the action described by the verb, thus forming an adjective that denotes the potential for cooling. Initially applied to machinery and processes, the term has now become closely associated with the food industry as the demand for fresh, preserved foods has increased. As the concept of refrigeration evolved, so did the vocabulary that accompanied it. The word 'refrigerable' reflects a modern understanding of food safety and storage practices in households and industries alike.