English Lexicon

Glacier

/ˈɡleɪ.ʃər/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A large mass of ice that moves slowly down a mountain or valley.

    "The glacier carved out the valley over thousands of years."
  2. 2

    A persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight.

    "Scientists study glaciers to understand climate change."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'glacier' originates from the French term 'glacier', meaning 'to freeze', which itself comes from the Latin 'glacies', meaning 'ice'. The term has been used in English since the early 19th century to describe large masses of ice formed from compacted snow.

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