glacial

• Relatif à la glace ou aux glaciers ; utilisé aussi au sens figuré pour décrire un mouvement extrêmement lent ou une attitude très froide et peu accueillante.

Relating to ice or glaciers; also used figuratively to describe an extremely slow movement or a very cold, unfriendly manner.

1. Relating to ice or glaciersB2formalscientific

   Relating to, or produced by glaciers or ice sheets.

   glaciaire

   • The glacial landscape was carved over thousands of years.
   • Scientists study glacial movements to understand climate change.
   • Glacial ice contains trapped air bubbles from ancient atmospheres.

2. Extremely coldB2formal

   Very cold in temperature; icy.

   Glacial (très froid)

   • A glacial wind swept across the plains.
   • The water in the mountain stream was glacial.
   • They endured glacial conditions during their Arctic expedition.

   Synonymesarcticbitterchillfreezingfrigidicypolarwintry

   Antonymeshottorridwarm

3. Unfriendly or hostileC1formal

   Extremely cold or unfriendly in manner or attitude.

   glacial (sens figuré)

   • She gave him a glacial stare.
   • The atmosphere in the room was glacial after the argument.
   • His glacial response made everyone uncomfortable.

   Synonymesaloofchillycoldcoldhearteddistantfrigidfrostyhostileicyunfriendly

   Antonymesaffablecordialfriendlygenialwarm

4. Extremely slowC1informal

   Moving or progressing at a very slow pace, like a glacier.

   Extrêmement lent

   • The bureaucratic process moved at a glacial pace.
   • Progress on the project has been glacial.
   • The traffic was glacial this morning.

   Synonymeslaggardleisurelyploddingponderousslowslow-movingtardyunhurried

   Antonymesfastquickrapidspeedyswift