Floe

Noun

Definition: A sheet or mass of floating ice.

Synonyms: Ice sheet, Ice floe, Ice field

Antonyms: -

Examples:

The Arctic explorer carefully maneuvered around the massive floes of ice.
The seals lounged and basked on the large floe, enjoying the sun.

Mnemonics:

Imagine the word "floe" sounds similar to "flow" - picture the ice floating and flowing on the water's surface.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle Dutch "vloot" meaning "fleet" or "fleet of icebergs."

Historical Usage:

The term "floe" has been used since the 18th century to refer to floating masses or sheets of ice. It is often associated with polar regions and the sea ice found there.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Break up the floe"

Explanation:

To break apart or disrupt a large sheet of floating ice, often done by using icebreakers or other methods to clear a passage in frozen waters.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "floe" with "flow."

Explanation:

Though "floe" sounds similar to "flow," they have different meanings. "Floe" refers to a floating mass of ice, while "flow" refers to the movement of liquid or gas.