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.

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of frostbite

First recorded in 1605–15; frost + bite

Example Sentences

It’s New Year’s Eve glitter, minus the frostbite.

From The Wall Street Journal

Minchin added: "Turns out we were right to stop. We both have frostbite and are being looked after incredibly well looked after. At the moment we remain in good spirits."

From BBC

She knew about frostbite: the Boar Clan Leader’s son, Aki, had lost three toes to it last winter.

From Literature

I go up to check the dogs but they are all right—no signs of frostbite—so we continue.

From Literature

Dragging the incapacitated along on sledges, the rescuers struggled back to the Advance, enduring snow blindness and frostbite.

From Literature

Related Words

• chill
• snow