glacial
adjective /ˈɡleɪʃl/, /ˈɡleɪsiəl/
/ˈɡleɪʃl/
- [usually before noun] (geology) connected with the Ice Age
- the glacial period (= the time when much of the northern half of the world was covered by ice)
- (specialist) caused or made by glaciers; connected with glaciers
- a glacial landscape
- glacial deposits/erosion
- (formal) very cold; like ice synonym icy
- glacial winds/temperatures
- the glacial waters of the Arctic
- The dining room was glacial.
- (formal) (of people) cold and unfriendly; not showing feelings synonym icy
- Her expression was glacial.
- Relations between the two countries had always been glacial.
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from French, or from Latin glacialis ‘icy’, from glacies ‘ice’.