freeze
freeze definition
freeze (frēz)
intransitive verb froze, frozen fro′·zen, freezing freez′·ing
- to be formed into ice; be hardened or solidified by cold
- to become covered or clogged with ice
- to be or become very cold
- to become attached by freezing wheels frozen to the ground
- to die or be damaged by exposure to cold
- ☆ to become motionless or fixed
- to be made momentarily speechless or unable to move or act by a strong, sudden emotion to freeze with terror
- to become formal, haughty, or unfriendly
- Mech. to stick or become tight as a result of expansion of parts caused by overheating, increased friction due to inadequate lubrication or corrosion, etc.
Etymology: ME fresen < OE freosan, akin to OHG friosan (Ger frieren) < IE base *preus-, to freeze, burn like cold > L pruina, hoarfrost, pruna, glowing coals
transitive verb
- to cause to form into ice; harden or solidify by cold
- to cover or clog with ice
- to make very cold; chill
- to remove sensation from, as with a local anesthetic
- to preserve (food) by solidifying it through rapid refrigeration
- to make fixed or attached by freezing
- to kill or damage by exposure to cold
- to make or keep motionless or stiff
- ☆ to frighten or discourage by cool behavior, unfriendliness, etc.
- to make formal, haughty, or unfriendly
- ☆
- to fix (prices, employment, an employee, etc.) at a given level or place by authoritative regulation
- to stop consumer production or use of (a critical material), as in wartime
- to make (funds, assets, etc.) unavailable to the owners
- to suspend the production of (weapons, esp. nuclear weapons)
noun
- a freezing or being frozen
- a period of cold, freezing weather; a frost
Related Forms:
- freezable freez′·able adjective
freeze Idioms
freeze (on) to
☆Informal to cling to; hold fast to
freeze out
- ☆ to die out through freezing, as plants
- ☆ Informal to keep out or force out by a cold manner, competition, etc.
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