Gèle

Gèle is the third-person singular form of the French verb geler in the present tense, used mainly to describe weather conditions. The expression il gèle translates to “it is freezing” and indicates that the air temperature is at or below zero degrees Celsius, which can cause water to freeze and surfaces to become icy.

In meteorology and daily use, geler denotes the process of turning liquid into solid through cooling. When it gèle, water, puddles, and sometimes soil moisture may freeze, leading to a layer of ice on roads, sidewalks, and vegetation. Frost and ice can pose risks for transportation, agriculture, and outdoor activities, especially during the night and in exposed areas.

Etymologically, geler derives from Latin gelare, linked to gelu, meaning frost or cold. The root gel- appears in several Romance languages with related meanings concerning cold and solidification.

Usage notes and related terms: geler is distinguished from congeler, which more specifically means to freeze something to preserve or store it (for example, food). In culinary contexts, gélifier or gélification refer to the setting or thickening of substances, a different sense of “gel.” The noun form gel or gelée is used in different contexts to refer to frost, ice, or a jelly-like substance, depending on the sense.

See also: gel (frost), gelée (frost or jelly in different contexts), congeler, gélification.