regelation

American  

[ree-juh-ley-shuhn] / ˌri dʒəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

Physics.

1. a phenomenon in which the freezing point of water is lowered by the application of pressure; the melting and refreezing of ice, at constant temperature, caused by varying the pressure.

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regelation British  

/ ˌriːdʒɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the rejoining together of two pieces of ice as a result of melting under pressure at the interface between them and subsequent refreezing

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Etymology

Origin of regelation

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + gelation ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

regelation

These facts are the exact complements of those of "regelation;" for here, two moist surfaces of ice being brought into close contact, their liquid liberty is destroyed and the surfaces freeze together.

From The Glaciers of the Alps Being a narrative of excursions and ascents, etc. by Tyndall, John

But this theory of regelation, although unquestionably true, and although it exercises some influence on glacier motion, does not, in my opinion, alone account for it.

From Rivers of Ice by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

“Has the theory of regelation been put to the proof?” asked Lewis, with a degree of interest in glaciers which he had never before felt.

From Rivers of Ice by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

There is nothing new in it, except a few additional pages about "regelation," and also "gravity."

From Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age, of Mary Somerville by Somerville, Mary

We know that at 32° Fahrenheit, regelation renders the mass continuous, and that it becomes brittle only at a temperature below this.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 74, December, 1863 by Various