froze

Froze is the simple past tense of the verb freeze. It describes the process of turning into a solid due to cold, or the act of causing something to become solid by cooling. It can also denote a sudden stoppage of movement or activity.

Etymology: The modern verb freeze originates in Old English and is related to other Germanic languages. Froze is the inflected form used for the past tense; the past participle is frozen.

Usage: In weather and everyday life, "the pond froze overnight" or "the soup froze in the freezer." In finance or law, "funds were frozen" by an authority. In performance or biology, one might say a person or animal "froze" when startled or unable to respond.

Freezing point: The freezing point of pure water is 0°C (32°F) at standard atmospheric pressure, though impurities can lower or raise the actual freezing point in mixtures.

See also: freeze, freezing, frozen.