snowflake

Thân thiện

A snowflake lands gently on a child's mitten.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A crystal of snow: A single, small, delicate ice crystal that falls as snow. Each snowflake typically has a unique, intricate six-sided (hexagonal) structure.
   • White Arctic bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis): A small passerine bird of the bunting family, having largely white plumage, which breeds in the Arctic and northern regions.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Ice Crystal):
  • A single snowflake landed on her glove.
  • Under the microscope, the complex symmetry of the snowflake was visible.
• Noun (Bird):
  • A flock of snowflakes was seen near the Arctic coast.
  • The snowflake is also known as the snow bunting.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use (Individuality): Due to the common belief that no two snowflakes are alike, "snowflake" can be used metaphorically to emphasize the uniqueness of an individual.
  • The artist celebrated every child as a unique snowflake.
• Modern Slang (Derogatory): In contemporary informal usage, particularly in political or social contexts, "snowflake" is sometimes used as a derogatory term to label a person perceived as overly sensitive, fragile, or easily offended.
  • He dismissed the critics as a bunch of entitled snowflakes. (Note: This usage is informal and often pejorative.)

Variants and Related Words

• Snow (n): The mass of white ice crystals that fall from clouds and cover the ground.
• Snowfall (n): A fall of snow.
• Snowy (adj): Covered with or resembling snow.

Synonyms

• Flake (for the ice crystal).
• Snow crystal.
• Snow bunting (for the bird).

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• "Special snowflake": A phrase, often used sarcastically, to describe a person who believes themselves to be uniquely different and deserving of special treatment.
  • The program doesn't cater to every special snowflake's demands.

Học thuật

Noun

1. white Arctic bunting
2. a crystal of snow

Từ đồng nghĩa

• snow bunting
• snowbird
• Plectrophenax nivalis
• flake