Langimage
English

freeze

|freeze|

B1

/friːz/

solidified by cold

Etymology
Etymology Information

'freeze' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'frēosan,' where 'frēo-' meant 'to freeze.'

Historical Evolution

'frēosan' transformed into the Middle English word 'fresen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'freeze.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to become ice,' but over time it evolved to include stopping motion or activity.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a period of extremely cold weather.

The freeze lasted for several days.

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Verb 1

to become hardened into ice or a solid state by loss of heat.

Water will freeze at 0°C.

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Verb 2

to stop moving or become motionless.

The deer froze when it saw the headlights.

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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40