snow1 (sno)

[Sc. snaw; It. neve = Sp. nieve = Pg. neve; also, through LL. *nivea, F. neige; W. = Gr. νίφα (acc.), snow, νιφάς , a snowflake, nyf): Zend snizh, snow; all from the verb represented by OHG. sniwan, MHG. snien, G. schneien, L. ningere, impers. ningit (√ snighv-), Gr. νίφειν, impers. νίφει, snow, Lith. snigti, sningti, Zend ✓ snizh, snow; Gael. snidh, ooze in drops, Ir. rain; Skt. Skt. ✔ snih, be sticky a the st or oily, = sneha, moisture, ✓ nij, cleanse, Gr. νίζειν, wash. The mod. verb snow1 is from the noun.] 1. The aqueous vapor of the atmosphere prec sphere precipitated in a crystalline form, and falling alling to the earth in flakes, each flake consisting of a distinct crystal, or more commonly of combinations of separate crystals. The crystals belong to the hexagonal system, and are generally in the form of thin plates and long needles or spiculæ; by their different modes of union Crystals of Snow, after Scores by. ture of the air at the earth's surface is near or below the freezing-point, and the flakes are larger the moister the air and the higher its temperature. The annual depth of snowfall and the number of days on which the ground is covered with snow are important elements of climate. In a ship's log-book abbreviated 8. 2. A snowfall; a snow-storm. [Colloq.] -3. A winter; hence, in enumeration, a year: as. five snows. [North Amer. Indian.] -4. Something that resembles snow, as white blo oms. That breast of snow. Dionysius (trans.). The lily's snow. Moore, tr. of A nacre on's Odes, li. 5. In her., white; argent. The feeld of snow, with thegle of blak therinne. Chaucer, Monk's Tale, 1. 393. Red snow. See Pro to coccus.