icebox

See also: ice box

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From ice +‎ box.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈʌɪsbɒks/
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

icebox (plural iceboxes)

  1. A box or compartment containing ice, typically used to keep provisions cool. [from 19th c.]
  2. (UK) A compartment in a refrigerator that is colder than the rest of the refrigerator and is used as a freezer.
  3. (US, dated) A refrigerator. [from 20th c.]
  4. (US, slang) A city with a cold or snowy climate.
    I moved here from the icebox of the upper Midwest.
  5. (US, slang) A prison. [from 20th c.]
    • 1939, Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep, Penguin, published 2011, page 53:
      ‘The sister ran after them and brought them back and had Owen heaved into the icebox.’
  6. (US, slang) A morgue.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Descendants

  • → Sabah Malay: aisbuk

Translations

Further reading

Adjective

icebox (not comparable)

  1. (slang) agreeable, awesome. (as a superlative of cool)
    • 1982, Alexei Sayle, The Young Ones‎[1]:
      MIKE: Yeah, yeah, so. So we'll forget about the rent, we'll pay you another time, is that cool?
      BALOWSKI: Yes, that's absolutely icebox! See you later, Ford Anglia!
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