1 thin, new ice on fresh or salt water, appearing dark in color because of its transparency.
1829  . . . the most compact black ice anywhere to be found, will be about five and three-quarters to five.
1873  About two weeks after the ice in this part of the river has been discharged into the Bay, that from the upper part . . . makes its appearance in the harbor, and is distinguished not only by the great quantity of driftwood and freshet débris which accompany it, but also by its clearness and solidity, hence called the "black ice."
1961  October had come with gales and snow and creeping darkness. Black ice had formed upon the Koksoak.
2 similar ice on a road.
1964  Most city streets were clear of snow but extremely hazardous at night, when plunging temperatures turned the melting snow into black ice.