Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Glacial
Gla′cial
,Adj.
[L.
glacialis
, from glacies
ice: cf. F. glacial
.] 1.
Pertaining to ice or to its action; consisting of ice; frozen; icy; esp., pertaining to glaciers;
as,
. glacial
phenomenaLyell.
2.
(Chem.)
Resembling ice; having the appearance and consistency of ice; – said of certain solid compounds;
as,
. glacial
phosphoric or acetic acidsGlacial acid
(Chem.)
, an acid of such strength or purity as to crystallize at an ordinary temperature, in an icelike form; as acetic or carbolic acid.
– Glacial drift
(Geol.)
, earth and rocks which have been transported by moving ice, land ice, or icebergs; bowlder drift.
– Glacial epoch
or
Glacial period
(Geol.)
, a period during which the climate of the modern temperate regions was polar, and ice covered large portions of the northern hemisphere to the mountain tops.
– Glacial theory
or Glacial hypothesis
(Geol.)
See
Glacier theory
, under Glacier
.Webster 1828 Edition
Glacial
GLA'CIAL
,Adj.
Icy; consisting of ice; frozen.
Definition 2024
Glacial
glacial
glacial
See also: Glacial
English
Related terms
Adjective
glacial (comparative more glacial, superlative most glacial)
- of, or relating to glaciers
- We examined the glacial deposits.
- (figuratively) very slow
- 2010, "Under the volcano", The Economist, 16 Oct 2010:
- Progress on judicial reform has been glacial, meeting enormous resistance.
- 2010, "Under the volcano", The Economist, 16 Oct 2010:
- cold and icy
- After the rain and frost, the pavements were glacial.
- having the appearance of ice
- On cold days, glacial acetic acid will freeze in the bottle.
- cool and unfriendly
- He gave me a glacial stare.
Hyponyms
Hyponyms of glacial
Translations
relating to glaciers
cold and icy
Noun
glacial (plural glacials)
- A glacial period (colloquially but not correctly known as ice age).
Translations
French
Adjective
glacial m (feminine singular glaciale, masculine plural glaciaux, feminine plural glaciales)
- glacial (all meanings)
Galician
Adjective
glacial m, f (plural glaciais)
- frozen, at the temperature of ice
- glacial, pertaining to glaciers
- (figuratively) frigid, chilly, not cordial
Synonyms
- (freezing): xeado
- (frigid, chilly): xélido
Related terms
Portuguese
Adjective
glacial m, f (plural glaciais, comparable)
- glacial (cold and icy)
- glacial (relating to glaciers)
- relating to ice ages
- (figuratively) glacial; cold (emotionally distant)