Gelid is a word that is pronounced as [ˈdʒɛlɪd]. The spelling of the word Gelid can be confusing for those who are not familiar with its pronunciation. The word is derived from the Latin word "gelidus," which means "icy" or "frosty." It is spelled with a "g" and not a "j," even though it is pronounced with a "j" sound. The "g" in Gelid is pronounced as a "j" sound because it is followed by an "e" which makes it a soft "g." Therefore, Gelid is pronounced as [jel-id] and not [gel-id].
Gelid is an adjective that describes something extremely cold or frigid. It is derived from the Latin word "gelidus," meaning icy or frozen. When used to describe weather or temperatures, gelid signifies an intense and freezing coldness.
The term extends beyond elemental coldness, as it can also be used metaphorically to describe an emotion or a situation that feels emotionally cold or indifferent. In this context, the word implies a lack of warmth, empathy, or compassion in human interactions or relationships.
When applied to physical objects or places, gelid suggests a chilling atmosphere that may evoke a sense of discomfort or discomforting impenetrability. For instance, a gelid room might be so cold as to have a bone-chilling effect on those present, or gelid water may be icy enough to induce a numbing sensation when touched.
As a descriptive word, gelid is often used in literature or poetry to vividly convey a strong impression of extreme coldness. It allows writers to transport the reader into a freezing landscape or to capture the emotional distance between characters. Additionally, gelid is occasionally employed to describe other cold elements, such as a gelid wind, which refers to an icy, biting breeze.
Overall, this adjective illustrates the idea of freezing coldness, whether literal, metaphorical, or atmospheric, providing a potent and evocative way to describe intense levels of frigidity.
Very cold.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "gelid" can be traced back to its Latin origins. It comes from the Latin word "gelidus", which means "icy" or "extremely cold". This Latin term originates from the verb "gelare", meaning "to freeze" or "to make cold". Eventually, "gelid" made its way into English, maintaining its meaning of extremely cold or icy.