snow

Everyday

1. Soft white flakes of frozen water that fall from clouds when it is very cold. tree →
2. A layer of fallen snow on the ground. tree →
3. As a verb, to fall as snow: "It's snowing!" tree →

In the lessons

In science, snow forms when water vapour freezes in cold clouds; every snowflake has six sides; snow melts at 0 °C into water. In safety: wear warm clothes; snow and ice are slippery; don't walk on frozen ponds. In Canada and the north of the USA, snow days close schools. Phrases: snowman, snowball, snowflake, snow day, snowed in, snowed under (very busy).

Examples

• It snowed all night. tree →
• We built a snowman. tree →
• Snow is frozen water. tree →
• Every snowflake has six sides. tree →
• School was closed for a snow day. tree →
• Snow melts when it gets warm. tree →
• Walk carefully on the snow. tree →
• I'm snowed under with homework. tree →
• There fell a shower of snow. tree →

Note

"Snow" is uncountable: "some snow", "a lot of snow"; one piece is "a snowflake". Snow rarely falls in most of Australia, but it snows in its mountains and in New Zealand.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah snow is a picture of whiteness, used for skin made pale by disease. In Psalms and Job snow is part of God's creation: He gives snow like wool, and it obeys His word.

Interpretation. The tradition reads the snow in Psalms as one of the signs of God's power over nature, praised by all creation.

Examples

• And when the cloud was removed from over the Tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, as white as snow; and Aaron looked upon Miriam; and, behold, she was leprous. (Torah NUM.12.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD said furthermore unto him: 'Put now thy hand into thy bosom.' And he put his hand into his bosom; and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow. (Torah EXO.4.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• He covered them like a pavement, and poured upon them snow, and the earth was formed. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. (Writings PSA.147.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Fire and hail, snow and vapour, stormy wind, fulfilling His word; (Writings PSA.148.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself; (Writings JOB.6.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

"Snow" is uncountable: "some snow", "a lot of snow"; one piece is "a snowflake". Snow rarely falls in most of Australia, but it snows in its mountains and in New Zealand.