How Do You Spell FRAZIL?

Pronunciation: [fɹˈe͡ɪzɪl] (IPA)

Frazil is a word that refers to small ice crystals that form in rivers and other bodies of water when the temperature drops. The spelling of this word can be a bit tricky, as it contains the uncommon digraph "z" and ends with the uncommon letter combination "il." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /'fɹæzɪl/, which breaks down to the sounds of "f" followed by "r" and the short "a" sound, then "z" and the short "i" sound, and finally "l" pronounced with a slight ending of "ul."

FRAZIL Meaning and Definition

1. Frazil is a term used to describe the ice formation that occurs in bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes, when the water temperature drops below freezing point. It refers specifically to the slushy or slurry-like ice crystals that form in turbulent or agitated water.

   Frazil typically forms when the water is in motion, and is often seen in areas where currents are present or in fast-flowing streams. As the temperature drops, supercooled water, which remains in a liquid state despite being below freezing point, forms small ice particles. These ice particles then clump together and create a mixture of loose, floating ice crystals. Frazil clusters are often characterized by their irregular shape and their ability to accumulate or cling together, forming a loose ice-like mass.

   Frazil can pose a hazard in water bodies, particularly for navigation and hydroelectric power systems. This is because the clusters can quickly accumulate and grow, leading to ice jams, blockages, or clogging of intake systems. In extreme cases, frazil can impede the flow of water, causing flooding and damage to infrastructure.

   To mitigate the risks associated with frazil, certain measures can be taken, such as employing deicing or ice-breaking techniques, installation of ice booms, or the creation of ice-control structures. These measures aim to break up or remove the frazil ice before it can accumulate and cause adverse effects.

   Overall, frazil refers to the loose, slushy ice crystals that form in turbulent water when the temperature drops below freezing point, and its formation can impact various water-related activities and systems.

Common Misspellings for FRAZIL

• drazil
• crazil
• vrazil
• grazil
• trazil
• rrazil
• feazil
• fdazil
• ffazil
• ftazil
• f5azil
• f4azil
• frzzil
• frszil
• frwzil
• frqzil
• fraxil
• frasil
• fraail
• frazul

Etymology of FRAZIL

The word "frazil" has an interesting etymology. It is believed to have originated from the Cornish dialect of English, specifically from the word "frazzle" or "fresel.” The original meaning of "frazil" in Cornish dialect referred to ice or frost. Over time, the word made its way into the broader English language, specifically in relation to the formation of ice. Today, "frazil" is commonly used in the field of hydrology and refers to tiny ice crystals that form in turbulent or flowing water, especially in rivers or lakes during cold weather.

Plural form of FRAZIL is FRAZILS