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A sun dog (scientific name PARHELION, plural parhelia, i.e. “beside the sun”) is a common bright circular spot on a solar halo. It is an atmospheric optical phenomenon primarily associated with the reflection or refraction of sunlight by small ice crystals making up cirrus or cirrostratus clouds.

PEMMICAN, from Algonquian (Cree) pimikan, from pimikew “he makes grease,” from pimiy “grease, fat.” Lean meat, dried, pounded and mixed with congealed fat and formed into cakes. If kept dry it will keep for an indefinite time, and is thus particularly serviceable in arctic or other explorations. Also used figuratively for “extremely condensed thought or matter.”

Drift ice consists of sea ice that floats on the surface of the water in cold regions, as opposed to fast ice, which is attached (”fastened”) to a shore. Usually drift ice is carried along by winds and sea currents, hence its name, “drift ice.” When the drift ice is driven together into a large single mass, it is called PACK ICE.

PANCAKE (ICE)–discs of young ice, formed when waves jostle them against one another, rounding their edges.