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Reif

hoarfrost

noun RYFE Rare
Animals & Nature Weather

Also means

frost

Usage Note

Reif is the white frost that forms on cold, clear nights, distinct from Frost (the freezing condition itself). It is largely uncountable. Note the homograph reif meaning ripe, and the unrelated noun Reif meaning hoop or ring.

Examples

"Über Nacht hatte Reif die Felder mit Weiß überzogen."

Natural Translation

Overnight hoarfrost had covered the fields with white.

Literal Translation

Over night had hoarfrost the fields with white covered.

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