another spelling of CRYO- combining form of Gr. κρύος frost, in various scientific terms: see CRYOGEN, CRYOHYDRATE, CRYOLITE, etc. Also Kryokonite [Gr. κόνις dust], a name for meteoric dust found in the Arctic regions; Kryometer [Gr. μέτρον measure], a thermometer for measuring very low temperatures; Kryoscopy [Gr. -σκοπία observation] (see quot.); hence Kryoscopic a., of or relating to kryoscopy.
1889. G. F. Wright, Ice Age N. Amer., 9. Nordenskiöld attributed the initial melting of ice-surface to accumulations of meteoric dust which he named *kryokonite.
1891. Standard, 9 Feb., 5/4. The mysterious ‘kryokonite’ of the vast icefields of Greenland is now believed to be … simply dust blown from America or Europe.
1877. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 427. *Kryolite from spathic iron.
1882. Brannt, trans. Thausung’s Malt & Beer, 38. Alcohol and sulphuret of carbon are used as thermometrical substances for measuring very low temperatures…. Thermometers for such low temperatures are called *Kryometers [cold meters].
1901. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 5 Jan., 1/2. The clinical value of *kryoscopy…, that is, estimation of the osmotic tendency of fluids by means of freezing. Ibid. In renal disease there is a lowering of the *kryoscopic index of the urine.
