'Glacial hypothesis' definitions:

Definition of 'Glacial hypothesis'

From: GCIDE
  • Glacial \Gla"cial\, a. [L. glacialis, from glacies ice: cf. F. glacial.]
  • 1. Pertaining to ice or to its action; consisting of ice; frozen; icy; esp., pertaining to glaciers; as, glacial phenomena. --Lyell. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Chem.) Resembling ice; having the appearance and consistency of ice; -- said of certain solid compounds; as, glacial phosphoric or acetic acids. [1913 Webster]
  • Glacial acid (Chem.), an acid of such strength or purity as to crystallize at an ordinary temperature, in an icelike form; as acetic or carbolic acid.
  • Glacial drift (Geol.), earth and rocks which have been transported by moving ice, land ice, or icebergs; bowlder drift.
  • Glacial epoch or Glacial period (Geol.), a period during which the climate of the modern temperate regions was polar, and ice covered large portions of the northern hemisphere to the mountain tops.
  • Glacial theory or Glacial hypothesis. (Geol.) See Glacier theory, under Glacier. [1913 Webster]