Snow Queen

Etymology

A literal translation into English from the original Danish Sneedronningen, from snee (“snow”, an older spelling of sne) + dronning (“queen”) + -en (suffixed definite article) from a fairy tale first published in 1845 by Hans Christian Andersen, based on the struggle between good and evil as experienced by a little boy and girl, Kai and Gerda.

Proper noun

the Snow Queen

1. A female fairy tale character with magical power over snow and ice.
   • 1845, Hans Christian Andersen; H. P. Paull (translator), Sneedronningen [The Snow Queen], published 1872:

     The fur and the cap, which were made entirely of snow, fell off, and he saw a lady, tall and white, it was the Snow Queen.

   • 2009, Justine Picardie, Daphne, A&C Black, →ISBN:

     Daphne wanted to tell her that a Snow Queen can know nothing of love, only of destruction, but she remained silent, just looked away.

   • 2011, Jack Zipes, The Enchanted Screen: The Unknown History of Fairy-Tale Films, →ISBN, page 271:

     Tom announces that he doesn't believe in such a thing as a Snow Queen.