Glaciers


[gley-sher] /ˈgleɪ ʃər/

noun
1.
an extended mass of ice formed from snow falling and accumulating over the years and moving very slowly, either descending from high mountains, as in valley glaciers, or moving outward from centers of accumulation, as in continental glaciers.
/ˈɡlæsɪə; ˈɡleɪs-/
noun
1.
a slowly moving mass of ice originating from an accumulation of snow. It can either spread out from a central mass (continental glacier) or descend from a high valley (alpine glacier)
n.

1744, from French glacier, from Savoy dialect glacière “moving mass of ice,” from Old French glace “ice,” from Vulgar Latin glacia (cf. Old Provençal glassa, Italian ghiaccia), from Latin glacies (see glacial).
glacier
(glā’shər)
A large mass of ice moving very slowly through a valley or spreading outward from a center. Glaciers form over many years from packed snow in areas where snow accumulates faster than it melts. A glacier is always moving, but when its forward edge melts faster than the ice behind it advances, the glacier as a whole shrinks backward.

A large mass of ice formed over many years that does not melt during the summer. Glaciers move slowly over an area of land such as a mountain valley.

Note: Glaciers exist in high mountains throughout the temperate zones and cover most of Antarctica. Glaciers recede during warm periods and can expand during cold periods, creating ice ages.

Note: A significant percentage of the water of the Earth is locked up in glaciers.

Read Also:

  • Glacier-table

    noun 1. a stone slab supported over the surface of a mountain glacier by a column or columns of ice. noun 1. a rock sitting on a pillar of ice on top of a glacier, as a result of the ice immediately beneath the rock being protected from the heat of the sun and not […]

  • Glaciologist

    [gley-shee-ol-uh-jist, -see-] /ˌgleɪ ʃiˈɒl ə dʒɪst, -si-/ noun 1. .

  • Glaciology

    [gley-shee-ol-uh-jee, -see-] /ˌgleɪ ʃiˈɒl ə dʒi, -si-/ noun 1. the branch of geology that deals with the nature, distribution, and action of and with their effect on the earth’s topography. /ˌɡlæsɪˈɒlədʒɪ; ˌɡleɪ-/ noun 1. the study of the distribution, character, and effects of glaciers n. 1856, from Latin glacies “ice” (see glacial) + -ology. Related: […]

  • Glacis

    [gley-sis, glas-is] /ˈgleɪ sɪs, ˈglæs ɪs/ noun, plural glacis [gley-seez, -siz, glas-eez, -iz] /ˈgleɪ siz, -sɪz, ˈglæs iz, -ɪz/ (Show IPA), glacises. 1. a gentle slope. 2. Fortification. a bank of earth in front of the counterscarp or covered way of a fort, having an easy slope toward the field or open country. /ˈɡlæsɪs; ˈɡlæsɪ; […]

  • Glacis plate

    noun 1. the frontal plate armour on a tank 2. a section of armour plate shielding an opening on a naval vessel


Disclaimer: Glaciers definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.