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, adjectiveWord 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
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.
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.