[cold] adj [ME, fr. OE ceald, cald; akin to OHG kalt cold, L gelu frost, gelare to freeze] (bef. 12c) 1 a: having or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for humans "it is ~ outside today" "a ~ drafty attic" b: having a relatively low temperature or one lower than normal or expected "the bath water has gotten ~" "trying to heat it with a ~ flame" c: not heated: as (1) of food: served without heating esp. after initial cooking or processing "~ cereal" "~ roast beef" (2): served chilled or with ice "a ~ drink" (3): involving processing without the use of heat "~ working of steel"
2. a: marked by a lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness, or compassion "a ~ stare" "got a ~ reception"; also: not moved to enthusiasm "the movie leaves me ~" b: not colored or affected by personal feeling or bias: detached, indifferent "~ chronicles recorded by an outsider --Andrew Sarris"; also: impersonal, objective "~ facts" "~ reality" c: marked by sure familiarity: pat "had her lines ~ weeks before opening night"
3: conveying the impression of being cold: as a: depressing, gloomy "~ gray skies" b: cool 6a
4. a: marked by the loss of normal body heat "~ hands"; esp: dead b: giving the appearance of being dead: unconscious "passed out ~"
5. a: having lost freshness or vividness: stale "dogs trying to pick up a ~ scent" "had to transcribe ~ notes" b: far off the mark: not close to finding or solving--used esp. in children's games c: marked by poor or unlucky performance "the team's shooting turned ~ in the second half" d: not prepared or suitably warmed up -- cold.ish adj -- cold.ly adv -- cold.ness n -- in cold blood : with premeditation: deliberately
[2]cold n (13c) 1: bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heat "they died of the ~"
2: a condition of low temperature "extremes of heat and ~"; esp: cold weather
3: a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling; specif: common cold -- out in the cold : deprived of benefits given others: neglected "the plan benefits management but leaves labor out in the cold" [3]cold adv (1889) 1: with utter finality: absolutely, completely "turned down ~"; also: abruptly "stopped them ~"
2. a: without introduction or advance notice "walked in ~ for an appointment" b: without preparation or warm-up "was asked to perform the solo ~"