v. & n.
v. 1 intr. (often foll. by out) (of ice or snow or a frozen thing) pass into a liquid or unfrozen state. 2 intr. (usu. prec. by it as subject) (of the weather) become warm enough to melt ice etc. (it began to thaw). 3 intr. become warm enough to lose numbness etc. 4 intr. become less cold or stiff in manner; become genial. 5 tr. (often foll. by out) cause to thaw. 6 tr. make cordial or animated.
n. 1 the act or an instance of thawing. 2 the warmth of weather that thaws (a thaw has set in). 3 Polit. a relaxation of control or restriction. thawless adj.
[ OE thawian f. WG; orig. unkn. ]