glacial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective relating to or derived from a glacier
    • glacial deposit
  2. adjective satellite devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
    frozen; icy; frigid; wintry; frosty.
    • a frigid greeting
    • got a frosty reception
    • a frozen look on their faces
    • a glacial handshake
    • icy stare
    • wintry smile
  3. adjective satellite extremely cold
    polar; arctic; icy; frigid; gelid.
    • an arctic climate
    • a frigid day
    • gelid waters of the North Atlantic
    • glacial winds
    • icy hands
    • polar weather

WordNet

Gla"cial adjective
Etymology
L. glacialis, from glacies ice: cf. F. glacial.
Definitions
  1. Pertaining to ice or to its action; consisting of ice; frozen; icy; esp., pertaining to glaciers; as, glacial phenomena. Lyell.
  2. (Chem.) Resembling ice; having the appearance and consistency of ice; -- said of certain solid compounds; as, glacial phosphoric or acetic acids.

Webster 1913