breaking-up

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1n.

the melting of the snow and the frozen ground in spring; spring thaw.

See: break-up(meaning 1b)

Quotations

1701

I was desirous to winter at Slude river but . . . none is acquainted wth ye breaking up so it is deferr'd till next year. . . .

1925

... when the spring "breaking-up" really began, the country became a series of islands.

2n.

the spring thawing of the ice on rivers and lakes, especially the point in time when the ice breaks into pieces that are flushed away by the current.

See: break-up(def. 1)

1743

I[']ll be in at the Breaking up of the Rivers.

1946

. . . the breaking up . . . comes about this time every year.