noun. Coolness; adj. Cool and crisp
By Cold, and by a kinde of Frescour (as we now-a-days speak).
Bacon’s Life & D. (1627)
OED says noun, but there are some wonderful ways to use it as an adjective as well.
The first four letters of frescour are the same as those in fresh for a reason. Frescura is Italian for “having the quality of freshness.” Frescour is something so fresh that it’s cool. It’s like biting into a fresh cold cucumber. Frescour seems to carry with it the meaning of “crisp” as in a crisp cucumber, but frescour has the lovely coupling of texture and temperature.
Now say “frescour cucumber” ten times fast.
This morning was a rather frescour morning. Fall has finally started; the days are getting colder, the clouds stay in the sky longer, the ugly-sweater-gift-from-last-Christmas is making appearances. The weather channel says it’ll be a frigorific 57°F tonight (very cold for those who have only ever lived in Southern California). Brrrr!