[snow] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE snaw; akin to OHG sneo snow, L niv-, nix, Gk nipha (acc.)] (bef. 12c) 1 a: precipitation in the form of small white ice crystals formed directly from the water vapor of the air at a temperature of less than 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) b (1): a descent or shower of snow crystals (2): a mass of fallen snow crystals
2: something resembling snow: as a: a dessert made of stiffly beaten whites of eggs, sugar, and fruit pulp "apple ~" b: a usu. white crystalline substance that condenses from a fluid phase as snow does "ammonia ~" c slang (1): cocaine (2): heroin d: small transient light or dark spots on a television screen -- snow.less adj
[2]snow vi (14c): to fall in or as snow ~ vt 1: to cause to fall like or as snow
2. a: to cover, shut in, or imprison with or as if with snow b: to deceive, persuade, or charm glibly
3: to whiten like snow