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icebox

icebox

20 7.9
A container that keeps food cold using blocks of ice without power
  • noun
  • /ˈaɪsˌbɑks/
  • Archaic
translation icon : nevera de hielo
  • In the past, families often used an icebox instead of a refrigerator to preserve food.
  • icebox pie
  • icebox cake
  • lemon icebox

Examples

  • "I'll get ice," Mrs. Lockhart said, moving swiftly to the icebox in the kitchen.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • You wouldn't happen to have a cold beer in the icebox, would you?

  • What have you got in the icebox to eat?

  • Please put the food in the icebox and return in two days.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Then he looked around for the icebox and took out a soda.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • There's plenty in the icebox, and you can find a bowl over there.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • We had lemon icebox pie and went back to the fireplace with second cups of coffee.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "Help yourself to anything in the icebox," Schrodinger had told Smedley.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Where's the leg of veal that was in the icebox?

  • "Leaning against the icebox, she clasped her hands beneath her chin.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

refrigerator
vsicebox
315 1.0

A machine that keeps food and drinks cold and fresh

is the older non electric home storage type rather than an electric appliance
fridge
vsicebox
  • Informal
288 1.0

A cold box in the kitchen that keeps food and drink fresh

is the non electric historic household unit rather than a modern appliance
cooler
vsicebox
  • US
14 2.0

A box or small machine that keeps food and drinks cold

is an older non electric home storage method rather than a powered device
ice chest
vsicebox
  • US
5 1.7

A portable box that keeps food and drinks cold with ice

is a non electric household container used historically to store food cold
frig
vsicebox
  • Informal
8.0

A short informal name for a fridge that keeps food cold

is the traditional non electric household storage rather than a powered appliance
2.6

A machine that uses electricity to keep food cold

is the non electric traditional storage method rather than a powered cooling system

Compounds

1 3.7

A chilled dessert with layers of cookies and whipped cream

How Cold

freezer
218 1.0
icebox
  • Archaic
20 7.9
cooler
  • US
14 2.0

Surface Forms

icebox singular
iceboxes plural

Morphology

icebox = ice + box (transparent) = ice + box

The compound denotes a 'box' associated with 'ice' for cooling or preserving food; learners can readily infer this meaning, though the term historically refers to a non-electric refrigerator.

Etymology

Icebox is a simple name joining ice and box: it was a box filled with ice to 'keep food cold' before electric refrigerators. That's why an icebox means an old-style refrigerator or a non-electric container for keeping food cool.