I. ˈsnō noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English snāw; akin to Old High German snēo snow, Latin niv-, nix, Greek nipha (accusative)
Date: before 12th century
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°F (0°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 snow
b. : a usually white crystalline substance that condenses from a fluid phase as snow does
ammonia snow
c. slang
(1) : cocaine
(2) : heroin
d. : small transient light or dark spots on a television screen
• snow·less -ləs adjective
II. verb
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
: to fall in or as snow
transitive verb
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