antifreeze

American  

[an-ti-freez, an-tee-] / ˈæn tɪˌfriz, ˈæn ti- /

noun

1. a liquid used in the radiator of an internal-combustion engine to lower the freezing point of the cooling medium.

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antifreeze British  

/ ˈæntɪˌfriːz /

noun

1. a liquid, usually ethylene glycol (ethanediol), added to cooling water to lower its freezing point, esp for use in an internal-combustion engine

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Etymology

Origin of antifreeze

First recorded in 1910–15; anti- + freeze

Explanation

Antifreeze is a liquid that lowers the freezing point of water. People put antifreeze in cars so water in the engine doesn't freeze. When water or another liquid freezes, it becomes a solid. A word starting with the prefix anti works against something. Antifreeze is a synthetic liquid that keeps water (or another liquid) from freezing by lowering the freezing point. This is important for many kinds of engines, such as car engines. In climates with very low temperatures in winter, putting antifreeze in cars is important. Antifreeze is crucial to many other machines and gadgets, because frozen liquid can disturb their operation.

Example Sentences

Antifreeze is what Nilton Renno of the University of Michigan was looking for to explain the unforeseen event that befell NASA’s Phoenix Lander on the arctic plains of Mars in 2008.

From New York Times • May 9, 2011

It requires no oil changes or Antifreeze, can use any kind of fuel that can be sent through a pipe and that will burn with air.

From Time Magazine Archive