Noun

Singular frost

Plural frosts

frost (plural frosts)

1. A cover of minute ice crystals on objects that are exposed to the air. Some of these are tree branches, plant stems, leaves, wires, poles, vehicles, rooftops, or aircraft skin. Frost is the same process by which dew is formed except that the temperature of the frosted object is below freezing. Frost can be light or heavy.
   • 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 47.

     It is more probable, in almost every country of Europe, that there will be frost sometime in January, than that the weather will continue open throughout that whole month ;

2. The cold weather that would cause frost as in (1) to form.

Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapor available. Frost is also usually translucent in appearance. There are many types of frost, such as radiation and window frost. Frost causes economic damage when it destroys plants or hanging fruits.