firn

[ feern ]

noun

1. névé.

firn

/ fɪən /

noun

1. See névé
   another name for névé

firn

/ fîrn /

1. Granular, partially consolidated snow that has passed through one summer melt season but is not yet glacial ice. Firn becomes glacial ice once it has become impermeable to liquid water.

Word History and Origins

Origin of firn¹

1850–55; < German (Swiss), noun use of firn last year's, old; cognate with Old English fyrn former, ancient, Gothic fairneis; akin to Old Norse forn ancient. See before

Word History and Origins

Origin of firn¹

C19: from German (Swiss dialect) firn of the previous year, from Old High German firni old

Example Sentences

The small firn also rises with a common footstalk from the radix and are from four to eight in number.

From Project Gutenberg

Firn, firn, or fern, n. snow on high glaciers while still granular—the French nv.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blizzard
• snowstorm