snow-slide

A skier watches a distant snow-slide from a safe ridge.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mass of snow sliding down a slope: "snow-slide" refers to the rapid downward movement of a large body of snow, often triggered by gravity, melting, or disturbance. It is synonymous with an avalanche of snow.
   • The event or occurrence of such sliding: The term can also describe the incident itself, as in a sudden snow-slide on a mountain.

Usage Examples

• (A sudden, dangerous movement of snow.)
• (A mass of snow that slid down and obstructed the path.)

Advanced Usage

• "to trigger a snow-slide": to cause a snow-slide by action or natural conditions.

  • The loud noise from the construction site triggered a snow-slide. (The noise caused the snow to fall.)

• "snow-slide warning": an alert issued to indicate a high risk of snow-slides.

  • The park issued a snow-slide warning after the recent storm. (An official caution about potential avalanches.)

Variants and Related Words

• Snowslide (n): an alternative spelling of "snow-slide," meaning the same event.

  • The snowslide swept away several trees. (The sliding snow destroyed vegetation.)

• Avalanche (n): a more general term for a large mass of snow, ice, or rock sliding down a mountain; "snow-slide" is a specific type of avalanche.

  • The avalanche buried the ski lodge. (A large snow-slide destroyed the building.)

Synonyms

• Avalanche: a rapid flow of snow down a slope, often used interchangeably with snow-slide.
• Slip: a less formal term for a small snow-slide.
  • A small slip of snow came off the roof. (A minor snow-slide.)

Related Idioms

• "Like a snow-slide": used to describe something that happens suddenly and unstoppably.
  • The rumor spread like a snow-slide through the school. (The rumor spread rapidly and uncontrollably.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Slide down: to move downward smoothly, as in a snow-slide.
  • The snow slid down the mountain in a massive snow-slide. (The snow descended in a sliding motion.)