Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A fog of minute ice-needles, resembling smoke, observed over bodies of water in a time of severe cold. At times the fog is observed lying close on the water in eddying wreaths.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • As we sail on, the sea steams like a line-kiln, “frost-smoke” covers it.

    The North-West Passage 2003

  • Easter Sunday we spent in a howling blizzard, which cleared in the afternoon sufficiently to see a golden sun sinking into a sea of purple frost-smoke and drift.

    The Worst Journey in the World Antarctic 1910-1913 Apsley Cherry-Garrard 1922

  • It is difficult to see long distances across open water at this time of year because the comparatively warm water throws up into the air a fog, known as frost-smoke.

    The Worst Journey in the World Antarctic 1910-1913 Apsley Cherry-Garrard 1922

  • Soon will come a mist -- unlike any mist or fog or frost-smoke you ever saw.

    Smoke Bellew Jack London 1896

  • "Troth," said O'Riley, gazing round towards the land, where the distant cliffs loomed black and heavy in the fading light, and out upon the floes and hummocks, where the frost-smoke from pools of open water on the horizon circled round the pinnacles of the icebergs -- "troth, it's a cowld place intirely to go to wan's bed in, but that fat-faced Exqueemaw seems to be settin 'about it quite coolly; so here goes!"

    The World of Ice 1859

  • Fortunately no damage was done, and in five minutes they were flying over the frozen sea as madly as ever in the direction of the point at the opposite side of Red-snow Valley, where a cloud of frost-smoke indicated open water.

    The World of Ice 1859

  • Over this inky expanse the frost-smoke hung like a leaden pall -- an evil spirit, as it were, which never left the spot till protracted and intense frost closed the waters of the river altogether, and banished it farther out to sea.

    Ungava 1859

  • Fortunately no damage was done, and in five minutes they were flying over the frozen sea as madly as ever in the direction of the point at the opposite side of Red-Snow Valley, where a cloud of frost-smoke indicated open water.

    The World of Ice 1859

  • _ A dark, misty-looking cloud which hung over it (technically termed frost-smoke) was indicative of much open water in that direction.

    Stray Leaves from an Arctic Journal; or, Eighteen Months in the Polar Regions, in Search of Sir John Franklin's Expedition, in the Years 1850-51 Sherard Osborn 1848

  • It was observable that, though a considerable frost-smoke arose from the young ice, it was not so dense as that from the clear water, immediately over every pool of which a little thick cloud floated, corresponding as well in size as in situation with the pond from whence it issued.

    Three Voyages for the Discovery of a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and Narrative of an Attempt to Reach the North Pole, Volume 1 William Edward Parry 1822

Comments

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  • This term reminds me of the yellow diamond warning signs along roadways in rural Florida which read "FOG SMOKE". Now I think I finally understand these signs!

    December 21, 2010