Jégcsap

Jégcsap is the Hungarian word for icicle. Icicles are natural formations of ice, typically in the shape of an inverted cone, that are created when water drips from a surface, such as a roof or a tree branch, and freezes as it falls. The process requires temperatures at or below freezing point. As successive drops of water freeze, the icicle grows longer.

Icicles often form during winter months when snow or ice on a roof melts due to heat escaping from the building or from sunlight. The melted water then flows down the edge of the roof or gutter and freezes if the ambient temperature is low enough. They can also form on other structures like bridges, cliffs, and even during colder weather on the edges of frozen waterfalls.

While icicles can be aesthetically pleasing, they can also pose hazards. Large or heavy icicles can break off and fall, potentially causing injury to people or damage to property below. They can also block gutters and downspouts, leading to water backup and potential damage to the roof and building structure. Removal of icicles is sometimes necessary for safety reasons. In some contexts, the term "jégcsap" might also be used metaphorically to describe something sharp, cold, or transparent.