Frostbite

/ˈfrɔːstbaɪt/ noun

Definition

A serious injury to skin and tissue caused by freezing in extreme cold, often turning the affected area pale or black.

Etymology

A compound word combining 'frost' (frozen water crystals) and 'bite' (to wound by cutting), literally describing how freezing temperatures 'bite' at exposed flesh and damage it permanently.

Kelly Says

Frostbite can happen in minutes—Arctic explorers discovered that wind chill matters as much as actual temperature, which is why scientists developed the 'wind chill index' to warn people of true danger levels.

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