icy
UK: ˈaɪsi | US: ˈaɪsi
adj. 1. covered with or consisting of ice
adj. 2. extremely cold
adj. 3. unfriendly or emotionally distant
The word "icy" derives from the Old English īsig, meaning "full of ice," which itself comes from the Proto-Germanic *īsiga-. The root "ice" traces back to the Proto-Indo-European h₁eyH-, meaning "frost" or "ice." The suffix "-y" (from Old English -ig) is a common adjectival ending used to describe qualities (e.g., "windy," "sunny"). Over time, "icy" expanded beyond literal coldness to metaphorically describe emotional coldness or hostility.
The roads were icy after the overnight freeze.
She gave him an icy stare when he interrupted her.
The wind blew icy gusts across the lake.
His response was short and icy, leaving no room for discussion.
The drink was served in an icy glass to keep it cold.