thaw

Etymology

From Middle English thowen, thawen, from Old English þāwian, from Proto-West Germanic *þauwjan, from Proto-Germanic *þawjaną, from Proto-Indo-European *teh₂- (“to melt”).

verb

1. (intransitive) To gradually melt, dissolve, or become fluid; to soften from frozen
   the ice thaws
2. (intransitive) To become so warm as to melt ice and snow — said in reference to the weather, and used impersonally.
   It's beginning to thaw.
3. (intransitive, figurative) To grow gentle or genial.
   Her anger has thawed.
4. (transitive) To gradually cause frozen things (such as earth, snow, ice) to melt, soften, or dissolve.

noun

1. The melting of ice, snow, or other frozen or congealed matter; the transformation of ice or the like into the state of a fluid; liquefaction by heat of anything congealed by frost
2. a period of weather warm enough to melt that which is frozen
3. (figurative) A period of relaxation, of reduced reserve, tension, or hostility or of increased friendliness or understanding.