frost flowers

plural noun

1. ice flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of frost flowers¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The ship, too, quickly transformed into a frozen castle, with frost flowers dangling from the railings and ropes.

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Under the right conditions, frost flowers form on top of the ice, a red flag that it is dangerously thin.

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"The sparkles visible in some segments were from the sun gilding the frost flowers that had formed on top of the new ice overnight—icing on the cake!"

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And frost flowers have been photographed at Haddo House and Country Park near Tarves in Aberdeenshire.

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They bear a very close resemblance to the arborescent frost flowers seen on window panes in winter, and to the stellate snow crystals.

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