Schneeverwehung
snowdrift
Eine hohe Menge von Schnee, die der Wind an eine Stelle bringt und dort anhäuft.
Definition & meaning
A Schneeverwehung is a snowdrift. It refers to an accumulation of snow that has been blown by the wind and deposited in a specific spot, often forming a mound, ridge, or bank. These drifts typically occur when wind encounters an obstacle, such as a fence, a hedge, or a building, causing the wind speed to drop and the snow to settle. Schneeverwehungen can be particularly dangerous for road traffic, as they can block roads entirely or create uneven, deep patches of snow that are difficult to navigate.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a feminine noun. Its plural form is die Schneeverwehungen. It is a compound noun consisting of three distinct elements:
- Schnee: The noun meaning "snow."
- verwehen: A verb meaning "to blow away," "to scatter," or "to drift" by the action of the wind.
- -ung: A suffix used in German to transform a verb into a noun, usually describing the process or the result of the action.
In combination, the word literally describes the result of snow being drifted or blown into a heap.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: The most direct synonym is Schneewehe. If the pile is very large, it might be referred to as a Schneeberg (snow mountain), though this usually implies a man-made pile. A more general term for a pile of snow is Schneehaufen.
Antonyms: There is no single word that represents the exact opposite of a snowdrift. However, in terms of weather and ground conditions, Schneeschmelze (snowmelt) represents the disappearance of such accumulations. From a navigational perspective, a geräumte Straße[?](vocabuo://word/geräumte Straße) (cleared road) represents the opposite state of a road blocked by drifts.
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Examples
Ich sehe eine Schneeverwehung auf der Straße.noun
I see a snowdrift on the road.
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