frazil

[ frey-zuhl, fraz-uhl, fruh-zeel, -zil ]

noun

1. ice crystals formed in turbulent water, as in swift streams or rough seas.

frazil

/ ˈfreɪzɪl /

noun

1. small pieces of ice that form in water moving turbulently enough to prevent the formation of a sheet of ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of frazil¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1885–90; from Canadian French frasil, frazil, fraisil, French fraisil “coal cinders,” Old French faisil

Word History and Origins

Origin of frazil¹

C19: from Canadian French frasil , from French fraisil cinders, ultimately from Latin fax torch

Example Sentences

Frazil-ice” is a Canadian term from the French for “forge-cinders.

From Project Gutenberg