- steam
- steam [stēm]n.[ME steme < OE steam, akin to Du stoom, WFris steam]1. Obs. a vapor, fume, or exhalation2.a) water as converted into an invisible vapor or gas by being heated to the boiling point; vaporized water: it is used for heating, cooking, cleaning, and, under pressure, as a source of powerb) the power supplied by steam under pressurec) Informal driving force; vigor; energy3. condensed water vapor, seen as the mist condensed on windows or in the air above boiling wateradj.1. using steam; heated, operated, propelled, etc. by steam2. containing or conducting steam [a steam pipe]3. treated with, or exposed to the action of, steamvi.1. to give off steam or a steamlike vapor, esp. condensed water vapor2. to rise or be given off as steam3. to become covered with condensed steam, as a window: usually with up4. to generate steam5. to move or travel by or as if by steam power6. Informal to seethe with anger, vexation, etc.; fumevt.1. to treat with, or expose to the action of, steam; cook, soften, remove, open, etc. by using steam2. to give off (vapor) or emit as steam——————let off steam or blow off steamInformal to express strong feeling; release pent-up emotion——————steam upInformal to make excited or angry
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.