—v.
1 intr. (often foll. by out) (of ice or snow or a frozen thing) pass into a liquid or unfrozen state.
2 intr. (usu. prec. by it as subject) (of the weather) become warm enough to melt ice etc. (it began to thaw).
3 intr. become warm enough to lose numbness etc.
4 intr. become less cold or stiff in manner; become genial.
5 tr. (often foll. by out) cause to thaw.
6 tr. make cordial or animated.
—n.
1 the act or an instance of thawing.
2 the warmth of weather that thaws (a thaw has set in).
3 Polit. a relaxation of control or restriction.
Derivatives:
thawless adj.
Etymology: OE thawian f. WG; orig. unkn.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.