thaw
     n 1: the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a
          liquid; "the power failure caused a refrigerator melt
          that was a disaster"; "the thawing of a frozen turkey
          takes several hours" [syn: {melt}, {thawing}, {melting}]
     2: warm weather following a freeze; snow and ice melt; "they
        welcomed the spring thaw" [syn: {thawing}, {warming}]
     3: a relaxation or slackening of tensions or reserve; becoming
        less hostile; "the thaw between the United States and
        Russia has led to increased cooperation in world affairs"
     v : become or cause to become soft or liquid; "The sun melted
         the ice"; "the ice thawed"; "the ice cream melted"; "The
         heat melted the wax"; "The giant iceberg dissolved over
         the years during the global warming phase"; "dethaw the
         meat" [syn: {dissolve}, {unfreeze}, {unthaw}, {dethaw}, {melt}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0