sleet

UK: sliːt | US: sliːt

Definition

  1. n. a mixture of rain and snow or hail

  2. vi. to fall as sleet

Structure
slee <freezing rain (Old English)>
Etymology

The word "sleet" traces back to Old English slēte, meaning "hail" or "freezing rain," likely derived from Proto-Germanic slautijō. The modern form retains the core idea of frozen precipitation, with the "-t" possibly serving as a diminutive or iterative suffix, emphasizing the light, scattered nature of sleet compared to heavier hail or snow. Over time, its meaning narrowed to specifically describe a mix of rain and snow.

Examples

  1. The weather forecast warns of sleet overnight.

  2. Roads became slippery as sleet began to fall.

  3. She bundled up to avoid the biting sleet.

  4. Sleet rattled against the windows all morning.

  5. Driving in sleet requires extra caution.