frostbite

American  

[frawst-bahyt, frost-] / ˈfrɔstˌbaɪt, ˈfrɒst- /

noun

1. injury to any part of the body after excessive exposure to extreme cold, sometimes progressing from initial redness and tingling to gangrene.

---

verb (used with object)

frostbit, frostbitten, frostbiting

1. to injure by frost or extreme cold.

frostbite British  

/ ˈfrɒstˌbaɪt /

noun

1. destruction of tissues, esp those of the fingers, ears, toes, and nose, by freezing, characterized by tingling, blister formation, and gangrene

2. a type of small sailing dinghy

---

frostbite Scientific  

/ frôst′bīt′ /

1. Damage to a part of the body as a result of exposure to freezing temperatures. It is caused by a loss of blood supply and the formation of ice crystals in the affected body part.

---

Etymology

Origin of frostbite

First recorded in 1605–15; frost + bite

Example Sentences

The heart, which came from another young boy who drowned, arrived "burned by frostbite," the child's family's lawyer, Francesco Petruzzi, said.

From BBC

Hypothermia and frostbite on limbs are common, said Nastya, a paramedic with the Da Vinci Wolves brigade.

From Barron's

An Arctic airmass brought hazardous sub-zero "wind chills" - the temperature it feels like rather than the temperature it is - to the region over the weekend, bringing a risk of hypothermia and frostbite, the forecaster said.

From BBC

Touching the camera’s metal body could cause frostbite, forcing her to use a stabilizing cushion to separate the camera from her body at all times.

From The Wall Street Journal

The spokesman also told AFP that most of the casualties were caused by roof collapses and avalanches, while many also died from frostbite in sub-zero temperatures.

From Barron's

Related Words

• chill
• snow