gelid

[ jel-id ]
See synonyms for: gelidgeliditygelidness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. very cold; icy.

Origin of gelid

1
1600–10; <Latin gelidus icy cold, equivalent to gel(um) frost, cold + -idus-id4

Other words from gelid

  • ge·lid·i·ty [juh-lid-i-tee], /dʒəˈlɪd ɪ ti/, gel·id·ness, noun
  • gel·id·ly, adverb

Words Nearby gelid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gelid in a sentence

  • The thin screaming came again, like a hot wire drawn down the gelid morning.

    The Jewels of Aptor | Samuel R. Delany
  • She seemed to be unable to tear herself away from the sight of the austere Aniene, with its gelid waters.

    The conquest of Rome | Matilde Serao
  • Even as she talked she swiveled the drum around, kicked the easy-off plug, and began dumping the gelid contents into the hole.

    Deathworld | Harry Harrison
  • Under a grey sky, glooming to purple, the gelid water writhed nakedly.

    The Trail of '98 | Robert W. Service
  • gelid light and air were in the kitchen but out of doors gentle summer morning everywhere.

    Ulysses | James Joyce

British Dictionary definitions for gelid

gelid

/ (ˈdʒɛlɪd) /


adjective
  1. very cold, icy, or frosty

Origin of gelid

1
C17: from Latin gelidus icy cold, from gelu frost

Derived forms of gelid

  • gelidity or gelidness, noun
  • gelidly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012