Icecap - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An icecap is a thick layer of ice covering a large area, typically found in polar regions or high mountains. It forms from compacted snow and moves slowly under its own weight.
Definition:
A permanent covering of ice over a large area, especially in polar regions.
Synonyms:
ice sheet, glacier, snowcap
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
desert, tropics
Common Collocations:
polar icecap, melting icecap, Arctic icecap
Derivatives:
icecapped, icecaps
Usage Tips:
Use "icecap" to describe large, permanent ice masses, not temporary or small patches of snow or ice.
Common Phrases:
under the icecap, melting icecap, polar icecap
Etymology:
From "ice" + "cap," first used in the 19th century to describe glacial coverings.
Examples:
- 1. The Greenland icecap is shrinking due to climate change.
- 2. Explorers crossed the Antarctic icecap on foot.
- 3. The polar bear relies on the Arctic icecap for hunting.
- 4. Scientists study ancient air bubbles trapped in the icecap.