— iceless , adj. — icelike , adj.
/uys/ , n. , v. , iced, icing , adj.
n.
1. the solid form of water, produced by freezing; frozen water.
2. the frozen surface of a body of water.
3. any substance resembling frozen water: camphor ice.
4. a frozen dessert made of sweetened water and fruit juice.
5. Brit. See ice cream .
6. icing, as on a cake.
7. reserve; formality: The ice of his manner betrayed his dislike of the new ambassador.
8. Slang.
a. a diamond or diamonds.
b. protection money paid to the police by the operator of an illicit business.
c. a fee that a ticket broker pays to a theater manager in order to receive a favorable allotment of tickets.
9. break the ice ,
a. to succeed initially; make a beginning.
b. to overcome reserve, awkwardness, or formality within a group, as in introducing persons: The chairman broke the ice with his warm and very amusing remarks.
10. cut no ice , Informal. to have no influence or importance; fail to impress: Her father's position cuts no ice with me.
11. on ice , Informal.
a. with a good chance of success or realization: Now that the contract is on ice we can begin operating again.
b. out of activity, as in confinement or imprisonment.
c. in a state of abeyance or readiness: Let's put that topic on ice for the moment.
12. on thin ice , in a precarious or delicate situation: You may pass the course, but you're on thin ice right now. Also, skating on thin ice .
v.t.
13. to cover with ice.
14. to change into ice; freeze.
15. to cool with ice, as a drink.
16. to cover (cake, sweet rolls, etc.) with icing; frost.
17. to refrigerate with ice, as air.
18. to make cold, as if with ice.
19. to preserve by placing on ice.
20. Ice Hockey. (esp. in Canada) to put (a team) into formal play.
21. Slang.
a. to settle or seal; make sure of, as by signing a contract: We'll ice the deal tomorrow.
b. to make (a business arrangement) more attractive by adding features or benefits: The star pitcher wouldn't sign his new contract until the team iced it with a big bonus.
c. to kill, esp. to murder: The mobsters threatened to ice him if he went to the police.
22. Sports Slang. to establish a winning score or insurmountable lead in or otherwise assure victory in (a game or contest): Her second goal iced the game.
v.i.
23. to change to ice; freeze: The sherbet is icing in the refrigerator.
24. to be coated with ice (often fol. by up ): The windshield has iced up.
25. ice it , Slang. stop it; that's enough: You've been complaining all day, so ice it.
26. ice the puck , Ice Hockey. to hit the puck to the far end of the rink, esp. from the defensive area across the offensive area.
adj.
27. of or made of ice: ice shavings; an ice sculpture.
28. for holding ice and food or drink to be chilled: an ice bucket; an ice chest.
29. on or done on the ice: ice yachting.
[ bef. 900; 1905-10 for def. 8a; ME, OE is; c. G Eis, ON iss ]