rime

Rime is a term with several distinct meanings in meteorology, linguistics, and literature. In meteorology, rime ice refers to a type of frost formed when supercooled water droplets in fog freeze on contact with surfaces in freezing conditions. The resulting ice crystals are typically rough, opaque, and milky, and they often accumulate on windward sides of objects. Rime ice forms more quickly than hoarfrost or glaze and can build up substantial weight, affecting structures, aircraft, and power lines.

Rime ice is contrasted with other types of icing and frost. Hoarfrost (or white frost) forms by deposition of water vapor directly onto surfaces under calm, clear conditions, producing delicate, feathery crystals. Glaze or clear ice forms when liquid water freezes on surfaces, creating a transparent, dense layer. Understanding these distinctions helps in forecasting hazards for transportation and infrastructure.

In linguistics and literary studies, rime has other meanings. In phonology, the rime (or rhyme) of a syllable is the portion that includes the nucleus (the vowel) and any following consonants, while the onset comprises the initial consonant(s). This division is used in analyses of rhyme schemes and syllable structure. Historically, rime is also an older spelling of rhyme in English and appears in medieval and early modern texts. In traditional Chinese phonology, rime refers to a class of finals used in rhyme dictionaries, grouping syllables by their ending sounds rather than their initial consonants.