gla·cial
(gl
sh
l)
KEY
ADJECTIVE:
-
- Of, relating to, or derived from a glacier.
- Suggesting the extreme slowness of a glacier:
Work proceeded at a glacial pace.
-
- often
Glacial
Characterized or dominated by the existence of glaciers. Used of a geologic epoch.
- Pleistocene. See Table at geologic time.
- Extremely cold; icy:
glacial waters.
See Synonyms at cold.
- Having the appearance of ice.
-
- Lacking warmth and friendliness:
a glacial stare.
- Coldly detached:
a glacial composure.
ETYMOLOGY:
French , from Old French,
icy, from Latin
glacilis, from
glaci
s,
ice; see
gel- in Indo-European roots
OTHER FORMS:
glacial·ly
(Adverb)
