thaw
thaw
UK[θɔː]US[θɑː]
v
(of ice, snow, or a frozen substance) to turn into liquid or become soft as a result of warming up.
v
(of the weather) to become warm enough to melt ice or snow.
v
to become friendlier, less formal, or more relaxed.
n
a period of weather warm enough to melt ice and snow.
n
an increase in friendliness or relaxation in relations.
Etymology
the word 'thaw' originates from the old english verb 'þawian', meaning 'to melt, dissolve, or become liquid'. this old english term is traced back to the proto-germanic root 'þawō-', which carries the same sense of melting or liquefying. this germanic root is further connected to the proto-indo-european base 'tā-', meaning 'to melt' or 'to flow', a root that also gave rise to words in other languages, such as ancient greek 'tēkō' (to melt). the core semantic logic has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient origins to its modern usage, always centered on the transition from a frozen or rigid state to a softer, liquid, or more relaxed condition.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form derived from old english. it is not productively composed of smaller, separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
leave the frozen turkey to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
after a long winter, a sudden thaw made the roads slushy and difficult to navigate.
their relationship began to thaw after they apologized to each other.