n.
Pronunciation: ' k ō ld
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ceald, cald; akin to Old High German kalt cold, Latin gelu frost, gelare to freeze
Date: before 12th century
1 a : having or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for humans <it is cold outside today> <a cold drafty attic> b : having a relatively low temperature or one lower than normal or expected <the bath water has gotten cold > c : not heated: as (1) of food : served without heating especially after initial cooking or processing < cold cereal> < cold roast beef> (2) : served chilled or with ice <a cold drink> (3) : involving processing without the use of heat < cold working of steel>
2 a : marked by a lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness, or compassion <a cold stare> <got a cold reception> also : not moved to enthusiasm <the movie leaves me cold > b : not colored or affected by personal feeling or bias : DETACHED , INDIFFERENT < cold chronicles recorded by an outsider ― Andrew Sarris> also : IMPERSONAL , OBJECTIVE < cold facts> < cold reality> c : marked by sure familiarity : PAT <had her lines cold weeks before opening night>
3 : conveying the impression of being cold: as a : DEPRESSING , GLOOMY < cold gray skies> b : COOL 6A
4 a : marked by the loss of normal body heat < cold hands> especially : DEAD b : giving the appearance of being dead : UNCONSCIOUS <passed out cold >
5 a : having lost freshness or vividness : STALE <dogs trying to pick up a cold scent> b : far off the mark : not close to finding or solving ― used especially in children's games c : marked by poor or unlucky performance <the team's shooting turned cold in the second half> d : not prepared or suitably warmed up
– cold · ish \ ' k ō ld-ish \ adjective
– cold · ly \ ' k ō l(d)-l ē \ adverb
– cold · ness \ ' k ō l(d)-n ə s \ noun
– in cold blood : with premeditation : DELIBERATELY <was killed in cold blood >