ice
ice
Pronunciation
Ice
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /aɪs/
Syllable 1: /aɪs/
/aɪ/ as in "eye" (diphthong)
/s/ as in "hiss" (voiceless alveolar fricative)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: ice
Plural: (no standard plural form when referring to the frozen substance; can be used as "types of ice" or "pieces of ice")
Adjective (attributive): ice (e.g., ice cream, ice cube)
Verb:
Base form: ice
Past tense: iced
Past participle: iced
Present participle: icing
Third-person singular present: ices
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A crystalline solid form of water, produced when liquid water is cooled below its freezing point (0°C or 32°F). It typically appears transparent or opaque white and is characterized by its slippery texture and ability to float on water.
Synonyms: frozen water, hoarfrost (when on surfaces), glaze
Antonyms: water (liquid), steam (gas)
A dessert or beverage component consisting of frozen, flavored liquid, often sweetened or mixed with fruit.
Synonyms: sorbet, granita, slush, popsicles
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific type of food)
(Figurative) A cold or unfriendly demeanor; a lack of warmth or emotion in a person's behavior or expression.
Synonyms: aloofness, frostiness, chill, detachment
Antonyms: warmth, friendliness, cordiality, geniality
Verb
To cover, coat, or chill something with ice or a substance resembling ice.
Synonyms: chill, cool, freeze, glaze, frost
Antonyms: heat, warm, melt, thaw
To decorate or cover a cake or other baked good with icing (a sweet, often creamy, frosting).
Synonyms: frost, glaze, adorn (with icing)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific culinary action)
To solidify or turn into ice; to freeze.
Synonyms: freeze, congeal, crystallize
Antonyms: melt, thaw, liquefy
To secure a victory or a positive outcome in a competition or situation, often at a crucial moment. (Informal)
Synonyms: clinch, secure, seal, confirm
Antonyms: lose, forfeit, jeopardize, falter
Examples of Use
Books:
"He felt a chill go through him, like a shard of ice piercing his chest, as the realization set in." (From a fictional novel, generic example)
"The expedition faced unprecedented challenges, navigating through vast fields of sea ice that threatened to crush their vessel." (From a non-fiction account of polar exploration, generic example)
Newspapers:
"Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures are expected to ice over roads across the region, prompting warnings for commuters." (Headline or lead sentence from a local newspaper, generic example)
"The city council voted to ice the controversial public works project, citing budget constraints." (Figurative use, from a business or politics section of a newspaper, generic example)
Online Publications:
"Five ingenious ways to use ice cubes beyond just cooling your drinks." (Lifehacker.com)
"Scientists are studying the accelerating melt of glacial ice as a key indicator of climate change." (National Geographic Online)
"A growing trend among mixologists is to use artisanal ice for cocktails, enhancing both flavor and aesthetics." (Serious Eats)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Don't ice him, Frank! We need him alive!" ( The Godfather series)
Television Series: "This new recipe for iced coffee is going to be a game-changer for the cafe."
Music (Song Lyrics): "My heart turned to ice the day you walked away." (Lyric from a pop or R&B song)
Video Games: "Player 1 used an ice spell, freezing the enemy in their tracks!" ( World of Warcraft or Skyrim)
Podcasts: "Our next guest discusses how they learned to break the ice in difficult negotiation scenarios." (From a business or self-help podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"Could you please get me some ice for my drink?" (Common request in a social setting)
"The roads are covered in black ice, so be extra careful driving." (Common warning or observation during winter)
"He's got ice in his veins; nothing seems to faze him." (Figurative expression describing someone who is calm under pressure)
"Let's ice this project for now and revisit it next quarter." (Common business jargon, meaning to postpone or halt)
"The team managed to ice the game in the final minutes with that incredible shot." (Common sports commentary, meaning to secure a win)
10 Famous Quotes Using Ice
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." - Mark Twain (Often attributed to him, a broader concept related to self-discipline)
"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." - John Steinbeck (Though not using "ice," this captures the contrast in seasons, where "ice" is a key component of winter)
"I'm colder than a polar bear's toenails." - Ice Cube (Famous rapper, a metaphorical use of "cold" implying toughness or coolness)
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." - Harry S. Truman (While not "ice," it's a common phrase about handling pressure, and "ice" is often associated with remaining cool under pressure)
"Love is a great beautifier." - Louisa May Alcott (A general quote about positive emotions; conversely, "ice" can represent a lack of warmth or beauty in a metaphorical sense)
"Some say the world will end in fire, / Some say in ice." - Robert Frost (Fire and Ice)
"You're as cold as ice, you're willing to sacrifice our love." - Foreigner (Cold as Ice lyrics)
"My heart is pure as the driven snow; so pure, it's virtually a block of ice." - W.C. Fields (A self-deprecating, humorous take)
"Breaking the ice is usually the hardest part." - Unknown (Common idiom)
"The ice is thin, and the water is deep." - Proverb (A warning about a precarious situation)
Etymology
The word "ice" has a long and chilly history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
In simple terms, "ice" comes from a very old family of languages called Proto-Indo-European (PIE). This was a language spoken by people who lived in parts of Europe and Asia a very, very long time ago, even before recorded history.
From this ancient PIE root, which was likely something like *h₁es- (a reconstructed word, meaning we don't have direct written evidence but linguists have pieced it together), the word evolved into Proto-Germanic. This is the ancestor of languages like English, German, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages. In Proto-Germanic, the word was something like *īsą.
Finally, it made its way into Old English (the earliest form of the English language, spoken before 1150 AD) as īs.
So, the first known use and meaning of the word "ice" in English (or its direct ancestor, Old English) was indeed to refer to frozen water. This meaning has remained incredibly consistent throughout its long journey through various languages. The earliest recorded uses in Old English texts clearly describe "ice" as solid water, often in relation to natural phenomena like frozen rivers or cold conditions.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ice
Break the ice: To initiate social interaction in a situation where people are unfamiliar or reserved.
On thin ice: In a precarious or risky situation.
Ice in one's veins: To be extremely calm and unemotional under pressure.
Ice out (someone): To exclude or ignore someone in a cold or unfriendly manner.
Cut no ice (with someone): To have no effect or influence on someone.
Ice over: For a surface to become covered with a layer of ice.
Put something on ice: To postpone or temporarily halt something.
Skate on thin ice: To take a risk or do something dangerous. (Similar to "on thin ice")
As cold as ice: Very cold, often referring to a person's demeanor.
The tip of the iceberg: Only a small, visible part of a much larger problem or situation.
Nerve of steel: To have great courage and remain calm in difficult situations. (Using a synonym, "steel" for the cold, hard quality of "ice")
Cool as a cucumber: Very calm and composed, especially in a stressful situation. (Using a synonym, "cool," to represent the tranquility often associated with ice)
Freeze someone out: To exclude someone from a group or activity in a cold manner. (Similar to "ice out")
Melt the frost: To make a tense or awkward situation more relaxed and friendly. (Original phrase, using a related concept)
An icy stare: A cold, unfriendly, or disapproving look.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ice from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
