congelar

Word: congelar

Meaning:
The Spanish verb "congelar" means "to freeze". It refers to the process of turning a liquid into a solid by cooling it below its freezing point, typically related to water freezing into ice. It can also mean to chill or preserve food by freezing. In a more figurative sense, it can mean to halt or stop an activity or process temporarily or indefinitely.

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Parts of the word:

• con-: a prefix that can imply "together" or denote the idea of completing an action thoroughly.
• gelar: root derived from Latin gelare, meaning "to freeze" or "to chill". The root relates to cold or freezing.

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Synonyms:

• helar (to freeze, to frost) - often more literary or regional.
• friar (old/rare usage related to cooling).
• In figurative cases (to stop), synonyms can include detener, parar, or bloquear (to stop, to block).

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Antonyms:

• descongelar (to thaw or defrost).
• calentar (to heat).

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Example sentences:

• "Voy a congelar el agua para hacer hielo."
  ("I am going to freeze the water to make ice.")
• "Han decidido congelar el proyecto hasta nuevo aviso."
  ("They have decided to freeze the project until further notice.")

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In summary:
congelar primarily means "to freeze," both in literal and figurative senses related to freezing physical substances or halting actions.