TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
EAU SURFUSION [6 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2022-11-18
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric Physics
- Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics (Physics)
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- supercooled water droplet
1, record 1, English, supercooled%20water%20droplet
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- supercooled droplet 2, record 1, English, supercooled%20droplet
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
At temperatures below 0 °C, cloud particles frequently consist entirely of supercooled water droplets down to about -10 °C in the case of layer clouds and to about -25 °C in the case of convective clouds. 3, record 1, English, - supercooled%20water%20droplet
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
supercooled water droplet; supercooled droplet: designations usually used in the plural. 4, record 1, English, - supercooled%20water%20droplet
Record 1, Key term(s)
- supercooled water droplets
- supercooled droplets
- super-cooled water droplet
- super-cooled droplet
- super-cooled water droplets
- super-cooled droplets
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Physique de l'atmosphère
- Mécanique des fluides et hydraulique (Physique)
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- gouttelette d'eau surfondue
1, record 1, French, gouttelette%20d%27eau%20surfondue
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- gouttelette d'eau en surfusion 2, record 1, French, gouttelette%20d%27eau%20en%20surfusion
correct, feminine noun
- gouttelette surfondue 3, record 1, French, gouttelette%20surfondue
correct, feminine noun
- gouttelette en surfusion 4, record 1, French, gouttelette%20en%20surfusion
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
gouttelette d’eau surfondue; gouttelette d’eau en surfusion; gouttelette surfondue; gouttelette en surfusion : désignations habituellement utilisées au pluriel. 5, record 1, French, - gouttelette%20d%27eau%20surfondue
Record 1, Key term(s)
- gouttelettes d'eau surfondues
- gouttelettes d'eau en surfusion
- gouttelettes surfondues
- gouttelettes en surfusion
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Física de la atmósfera
- Mecánica de fluidos e hidráulica (Física)
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- gotita de agua subfundida
1, record 1, Spanish, gotita%20de%20agua%20subfundida
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
- gotita subfundida 2, record 1, Spanish, gotita%20subfundida
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
gotita de agua subfundida; gotita subfundida: designaciones utilizadas generalmente en plural. 3, record 1, Spanish, - gotita%20de%20agua%20subfundida
Record 1, Key term(s)
- gotitas de agua subfundidas
- gotitas subfundidas
Record 2 - internal organization data 2004-10-01
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- supercooled
1, record 2, English, supercooled
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- undercooled 2, record 2, English, undercooled
correct, see observation
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
supercooled cloud. A cloud composed of supercooled liquid water drops. 3, record 2, English, - supercooled
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Supercooling. Cooling of liquid water to a temperature below its normal freezing point without causing it to freeze. 4, record 2, English, - supercooled
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
As adverbial prefix, under - denote an inferior quality or insufficient degree of activity, in this case the fact of being cooled. The use of "undercooled" is confusing. 5, record 2, English, - supercooled
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- surfondu
1, record 2, French, surfondu
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- en surfusion 2, record 2, French, en%20surfusion
correct
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
nuage d’eau surfondue. Nuage composé de gouttes d’eau liquide dont la température est inférieure au point de congélation. 1, record 2, French, - surfondu
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Surfusion. Refroidissement de l'eau liquide à une température inférieure à son point de congélation normal sans provoquer sa congélation. 1, record 2, French, - surfondu
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- subfundido 1, record 2, Spanish, subfundido
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
- subenfriado 2, record 2, Spanish, subenfriado
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2004-10-01
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric Physics
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- superfusion 1, record 3, English, superfusion
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- supercooling 1, record 3, English, supercooling
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Physique de l'atmosphère
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- surfusion
1, record 3, French, surfusion
correct, feminine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Phénomène selon lequel un corps reste liquide à une température inférieure à son point de fusion. 1, record 3, French, - surfusion
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Dans l'atmosphère ce phénomène est habituel pour l'eau dans les nuages situés au-dessus de l'isotherme zéro degré Celsius et peut s’observer jusqu'à-40 °C pour les plus fines gouttelettes. Lorsque des gouttes de pluie en surfusion atteignent le sol elles se congèlent sous forme de verglas qui peut être extrêmement dangereux pour la circulation et provoquer des dégâts sur la végétation en raison de la surcharge qui en résulte. Dans les conditions naturelles et en l'absence de cristaux de glace qui font disparaître la surfusion, l'eau ne commence habituellement à se congeler que lorsque la température est de deux ou même de plusieurs degrés en-dessous du zéro. 1, record 3, French, - surfusion
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Física de la atmósfera
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- sobrefusión
1, record 3, Spanish, sobrefusi%C3%B3n
feminine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2003-02-24
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- supercooled water
1, record 4, English, supercooled%20water
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- undercooled water 2, record 4, English, undercooled%20water
correct
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Water cooled under its nominal freezing point [in a cloud] without crystallization or solidification. 3, record 4, English, - supercooled%20water
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- eau en surfusion
1, record 4, French, eau%20en%20surfusion
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- eau surfondue 2, record 4, French, eau%20surfondue
correct, feminine noun
- eau super-refroidie 3, record 4, French, eau%20super%2Drefroidie
feminine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Eau refroidie à une température inférieure à son point de congélation sans qu’il y ait solidification ni cristallisation. 4, record 4, French, - eau%20en%20surfusion
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Alors interviennent des mécanismes extrêmement rapides de transfert par l'intermédiaire de la phase vapeur entre les gouttelettes en surfusion du nuage et les cristaux qui ont fait leur apparition car, pour une même température négative ambiante, la tension de vapeur de l'eau en surfusion est toujours supérieure à celle régnant au-dessus de la phase glace. 5, record 4, French, - eau%20en%20surfusion
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- agua subenfriada
1, record 4, Spanish, agua%20subenfriada
feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Agua enfriada por debajo del punto de congelación, sin que se produzca solidificación o cristalización. 2, record 4, Spanish, - agua%20subenfriada
Record 5 - internal organization data 2002-11-22
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Meteorology
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- ice particle 1, record 5, English, ice%20particle
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Precipitation processes are complex. ... Snow crystals begin as minute ice particles which have formed around condensation nuclei in the atmosphere. These nuclei may be dust particles with favorable molecular structure or even minute crystals of sea salt. If these ice particles exist in an atmosphere with an excess supply of water vapor (supersaturated air) they will continue to grow. Upon reaching a critical size, they begin to fall. Depending on the conditions they encounter in different layers of air during their descent, they may continue to grow, may stop growing, or may experience a succession of growth patterns. What arrives at the ground can be a simple product of the initial ice crystal formation, or it may be the result of a complex life history. 2, record 5, English, - ice%20particle
Record 5, Key term(s)
- ice germ
- particle of ice
- germ of ice
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Météorologie
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- germe de glace
1, record 5, French, germe%20de%20glace
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- particule de glace 2, record 5, French, particule%20de%20glace
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La naissance de «germes de glace» à partir de microgouttelettes d’eau surfondue cristallisant autour d’un noyau de congélation, et la croissance de ces germes en un cristal du système hexagonal (symétrie d’ordre six) conduisent à la formation de la neige au sein des nuages. 3, record 5, French, - germe%20de%20glace
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Les cristaux de neige prennent naissance dans les nuages. Les gouttes d’eau en surfusion rencontrent des germes de glace(particules de poussières ou gouttes gelées) pour ainsi donner les cristaux de glace. 4, record 5, French, - germe%20de%20glace
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 3 CONT
nuage : ensemble visible de minuscules particules d’eau liquide ou de glace, ou des deux à la fois, en suspension dans l’atmosphère. 2, record 5, French, - germe%20de%20glace
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2002-11-22
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- globule of ice
1, record 6, English, globule%20of%20ice
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Hailstone: Globule or piece of ice, with a diameter varying between 5 and 50 mm or even more, the fall of which constitutes hail. 2, record 6, English, - globule%20of%20ice
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Precipitation may take place as very large globules of ice called hail. Hails can vary from 5 mm to several cms in diameter. 3, record 6, English, - globule%20of%20ice
Record 6, Key term(s)
- ice globule
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- globule de glace
1, record 6, French, globule%20de%20glace
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Si le milieu nuageux contient de grandes quantités de gouttelettes d’eau condensée en surfusion, leur captation par les germes de glace initiaux est trop rapide pour permettre leur cristallisation immédiate et l'évacuation de la chaleur latente correspondante. Il se forme alors autour du germe initial une pellicule d’eau surfondue en voie de cristallisation continue. Ce qui conduit non plus à la formation de flocons de neige mais de globules de glace ou grêlons beaucoup plus denses et lourds et qui le plus souvent ne fondent pas avant d’atteindre le sol. 2, record 6, French, - globule%20de%20glace
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


