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

Then again, what I have described as 'intrusive layers of blue ice' was a remarkable feature; one could imagine that these layers represent surfaces which have been transformed by regelation under hot sun and wind.

From Scott's Last Expedition Volume I by Scott, Robert Falcon

In fact, regelation will confer upon it all the appearance of viscosity.

From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John

Mr. James Thomson had referred regelation to the cold produced by the liquefaction of the pressed ice; but in the above experiment all pressure is not only taken away, but is replaced by tension.

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

When the attachments of pressed ice are broken, the continuity of the mass is restored by the regelation of the new contiguous surfaces.

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