frost

noun

• a deposit of small white ice crystals formed on the ground or other surfaces when the temperature falls below freezing: the lanes were glistening with frost it is not unusual for buds to be nipped by frost a short spell of hard frost [count noun]:there have been several sharp frosts recently
• [count noun] a period of cold weather when deposits of frost form:there have been several sharp frosts recently
• a person’s cold or unfriendly manner:Caroline was shocked to hear the frost in her brother’s voice
• [in singular] British informal, dated a failure: even the state soirées were a frost

verb

• 1cover (something) with or as if with frost; freeze:shop windows were still frosted over
• [no object] become covered with small ice crystals:no one has managed to stop outdoor heat exchangers frosting up during winter
• damage or otherwise affect as a result of frost.

• 2North American decorate (a cake or biscuit) with icing: the cake Mama had just frosted