regelate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Scientific / Technical
Quick answer
What does “regelate” mean?
To freeze together again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To freeze together again; for ice or snow to melt under pressure and refreeze when the pressure is released.
A specific physical phenomenon where two pieces of ice fuse together when pressed, due to melting under pressure and subsequent refreezing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and confined to identical technical contexts. No spelling differences.
Connotations
Pure technical description with no regional connotative variation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both regions, used almost exclusively in scientific literature.
Grammar
How to Use “regelate” in a Sentence
[Ice/It] regelates.[Pressure] causes [ice] to regelate.[The process] is known as regelation.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “regelate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two ice cubes will regelate if you squeeze them together in your hand.
- Glaciers move partly because ice can regelate around obstacles.
American English
- If you pack snowballs tightly, the snow particles will regelate.
- The experiment demonstrates how ice can regelate under pressure.
adjective
British English
- The regelation process is key to understanding glacial flow.
- They studied the regelation point of different ice types.
American English
- Regelation forces were measured in the lab.
- He wrote a paper on regelation phenomena.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in physics, chemistry, and earth science papers to describe the regelation process.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in glaciology and materials science for the phenomenon of ice fusion under pressure.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regelate”
- Using it as a synonym for general 'freezing'.
- Confusing it with 'regulate'.
- Assuming it describes any solidification process.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized scientific term rarely encountered outside technical contexts.
The noun form is 'regelation' (e.g., 'the process of regelation').
While coined for ice, the principle is sometimes applied in materials science, but the verb is overwhelmingly used with ice, snow, or water.
'Freeze' means to turn from liquid to solid. 'Regelate' specifically means to melt under pressure and then refreeze into a single mass when pressure is relieved.
To freeze together again.
Regelate is usually scientific / technical in register.
Regelate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːdʒɪˈleɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌridʒəˈleɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-GEL-ATE: to become a GEL (or solid ice) AGAIN (RE).
Conceptual Metaphor
PRESSURE CREATES UNION (through a temporary state of flux).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'regelate' primarily used?