Idioms for ice

Origin of ice

before 900; 1905–10 for def 8a; Middle English, Old English īs; cognate with German Eis, Old Norse īss

OTHER WORDS FROM ice

ice·less, adjective ice·like, adjective re·ice, verb, re·iced, re·ic·ing. un·ice, verb (used with object), un·iced, un·ic·ing.

Words nearby ice

British Dictionary definitions for break the ice (1 of 2)

ice
/ (aɪs) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of ice

iceless, adjective icelike, adjective

Word Origin for ice

Old English īs; compare Old High German īs, Old Norse īss

British Dictionary definitions for break the ice (2 of 2)

ICE

abbreviation for (in Britain)

Institution of Civil Engineers

Scientific definitions for break the ice

ice
[ īs ]

A solid consisting of frozen water. Ice forms at or below a temperature of 0°C (32°F). Ice expands during the process of freezing, with the result that its density is lower than that of water.
A solid form of a substance, especially of a substance that is a liquid or a gas at room temperature at sea level on Earth. The nuclei of many comets contain methane ice.

Cultural definitions for break the ice

break the ice

To remove the tension at a first meeting, at the opening of a party, etc.: “That joke really broke the ice at the conference; we all relaxed afterward.”

Idioms and Phrases with break the ice (1 of 2)

break the ice

1

Make a start, pave the way, as in Newton's theories broke the ice for modern physics. This idiom alludes to breaking ice in a channel so that a ship can pass. [Early 1600s] Also see break ground.

2

Relax a tense or very formal situation, as in Someone at the conference table will have to break the ice. [Early 1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with break the ice (2 of 2)

ice

see break the ice; cut no ice; on ice; on thin ice; put on ice; tip of the iceberg.