thaw Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
    melting; melt; thawing.
    • the power failure caused a refrigerator melt that was a disaster
    • the thawing of a frozen turkey takes several hours
  2. noun warm weather following a freeze; snow and ice melt
    warming; thawing.
    • they welcomed the spring thaw
  3. noun a relaxation or slackening of tensions or reserve; becoming less hostile
    • the thaw between the United States and Russia has led to increased cooperation in world affairs
  4. verb become or cause to become soft or liquid
    melt; unthaw; unfreeze; dethaw; dissolve.
    • The sun melted the ice
    • the ice thawed
    • the ice cream melted
    • The heat melted the wax
    • The giant iceberg dissolved over the years during the global warming phase
    • dethaw the meat

WordNet

Thaw intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. Þawian, Þawan; akin to D. dovijen, G. tauen, thauen (cf. also verdauen 8digest, OHG. douwen, firdouwen), Icel. Þeyja, Sw. töa, Dan. töe, and perhaps to Gr. to melt. *56.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Thawed ; present participle & verbal noun Thawing
Definitions
  1. To melt, dissolve, or become fluid; to soften; -- said of that which is frozen; as, the ice thaws.
  2. To become so warm as to melt ice and snow; -- said in reference to the weather, and used impersonally.
  3. Fig.: To grow gentle or genial.
Thaw transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause (frozen things, as earth, snow, ice) to melt, soften, or dissolve.
Thaw noun
Definitions
  1. The melting of ice, snow, or other congealed matter; the resolution of ice, or the like, into the state of a fluid; liquefaction by heat of anything congealed by frost; also, a warmth of weather sufficient to melt that which is congealed. Dryden.

Webster 1913