thaw

dégeler, décongeler

Cesser d’être gelé sous l’effet de la chaleur, ou faire fondre la glace présente dans quelque chose.

En anglais simple : To become warmer so that ice melts or frozen food becomes soft.

• The snow began to thaw.
• I thawed the chicken in the fridge.
• Has the ground thawed enough to dig?

Comment l'utiliser : thaw out (Leave the frozen bread to thaw out.)

Synonymes : defrost, melt

Contraires : freeze

Expressions courantes : thaw out, thaw frozen food, thaw in something, begin to thaw

s'adoucir, se dérider

Devenir moins froid ou moins fâché et commencer à se sentir plus à l’aise avec les autres.

En anglais simple : To become less unfriendly or angry and begin to feel more relaxed with others.

• He thawed when she smiled.
• Her anger slowly thawed during their conversation.
• After a few jokes, our host began to thaw.

Comment l'utiliser : thaw towards someone (She gradually thawed towards her new neighbours.)

Synonymes : soften, warm up

Expressions courantes : begin to thaw, thaw towards someone, finally thaw

dégel

Période où le temps se réchauffe et où la neige et la glace commencent à fondre.

En anglais simple : A period of warmer weather when ice and snow start to melt.

• The thaw began in March.
• A sudden thaw caused the river to rise.
• We expect another thaw before winter ends.

Synonymes : melting

Contraires : freeze

Expressions courantes : spring thaw, sudden thaw, winter thaw

détente, dégel

Amélioration des relations après une période de colère, de désaccord ou d’hostilité.

En anglais simple : An improvement in a relationship after a period of anger, disagreement, or unfriendly behaviour.

• Their meeting led to a thaw.
• A thaw in relations allowed trade to resume.
• The sisters' letters suggested a thaw between them.

Comment l'utiliser : a thaw in something (The visit brought a thaw in relations.); a thaw between A and B (There was a thaw between the two former rivals.)

Synonymes : warming, rapprochement

Expressions courantes : thaw in relations, diplomatic thaw, thaw between countries