rə̇ˌfrijəˈrāshən, rēˌf- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English refrygeracion, from Latin refrigeration-, refrigeratio coolness, cooling, from refrigeratus (past participle of refrigerare ) + -ion-, -io -ion
: the action or process of refrigerating: as
a. : the cooling or freezing of food or perishables for storage — see electric refrigeration , mechanical refrigeration
b. : a deliberate lowering of the temperature of the body or of a part (as a leg) for therapeutic purposes or to facilitate surgery — compare hypothermia