- [usually before noun] (
geology 地质学 connected with the Ice Age 冰河时代的；冰河期的；冰川期的 the glacial period (= the time when much of the northern half of the world was covered by ice) 冰期
- (specialist)
caused or made by glaciers; connected with glaciers 冰川造成的；由冰河形成的；冰河的；冰川的 a glacial landscape 由冰河形成的自然景观 glacial deposits/erosion 冰川沉积；冰蚀作用
- (formal)
very cold; like ice 冰冷的；冰一般的 glacial winds/temperatures 刺骨的寒风；极低的温度 the glacial waters of the Arctic 北极寒冷的水域。 The dining room was glacial. 餐厅冷若冰霜。
- (formal)
(of people 人 cold and unfriendly; not showing feelings 冷若冰霜的；冷冰冰的
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from French, or from Latin glacialis ‘icy’, from glacies ‘ice’.