glacial

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective relating to or derived from a glacier
  2. adjective devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
  3. adjective extremely cold

Etymology

Borrowed from French glacial, from Latin glaciālis, from glaciēs (“ice”). The sense "slow" refers to the speed of actual glaciers, typically around 1 meter per day.

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