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

But a little further down the wound is healed again, and regelation has restored the smooth surface of the glacier.

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

It was moist and soft, in fact in a condition altogether favourable for the "regelation" of its granules.

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

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

The one refers it mainly to regelation; the other to a real viscosity of the ice.

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

“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)