1. trans. To cause to thaw.
1584. Hudson, Du Bartas’ Judith, IV. 196. Loues firy dart Could neuer vnfriese the frost of her chast hart.
1598. Florio, Disghiacciare, to vnfreese, to thaw.
1651. Ogilby, Æsop (1665), 11. Such Trumpeters would blood turn’d Ice unfreeze.
1879. Miss Bird, Lady’s Life Rocky Mount., I. 280. Eggs, butter, milk,… have to be unfrozen.
fig. 1637. N. Whiting, Albino & Bellama, 36. Such quickning heat … That thawd his voyce, and did unfreeze his tongue.
1670. Brooks, London’s Lament., 41. God by fiery tryals will unfreeze the frozen graces of his people.
1862. Thornbury, Turner, II. 125. At an age when … he could not unfreeze himself into hospitality.
2. intr. To become thawed. Also fig.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 64. The cold having … pierc’d to the Centre of the earth, it must have leasure to unfreeze.
1746. W. Horsley, Fool (1748), I. 234. I wish he would put off his Amour to the ensuing May, when the Virgin Heart unfreezes.
