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   steam

   /stiːm/

   noun

   • 1. the vapour into which water is converted when heated, forming a white mist of minute water droplets in the air: "a cloud of steam" Similar water vapourcondensationmisthazefogexhalationmoisturedampnessrare:fumesmoke
   • ▪ the invisible gaseous form of water, formed by boiling, from which this vapour condenses.
   • ▪ the expansive force of steam used as a source of power for machines: "the equipment was originally powered by steam"
   • ▪ locomotives and railway systems powered by steam: "we were trainspotters in the last years of steam"
   • ▪ energy and momentum or impetus: "the anti-corruption drive gathered steam" Similar energyvigourvigorousnessvitalitystaminaenthusiasmmomentumimpetuspowerforcestrengththrustimpulsepushdrivedriving powerspeedpacevelocity

   verb

   • 1. give off or produce steam: "a mug of coffee was steaming at her elbow"
   • ▪ become or cause something to become covered or misted over with steam: "the glass keeps steaming up"
   • 2. cook (food) by heating it in steam from boiling water: "steam the vegetables until just tender"
   • ▪ (of food) cook by heating in steam: "leave the mussels to steam"
   • ▪ clean or otherwise treat with steam: "he steamed his shirts to remove the odour"
   • ▪ apply steam to (something fixed with adhesive) so as to open or loosen it: "he'd steamed the letter open and then resealed it"
   • 3. (of a ship or train) travel somewhere under steam power: "the 11.54 steamed into the station"
   • ▪ generate steam in and operate (a steam locomotive): "you can learn the intricacies of steaming a locomotive for the first time"
   • ▪ come, go, or move somewhere rapidly or in a forceful way: informal "Jeremy steamed in ten minutes late"
   • ▪ start or join a fight: informal British "he'll be the one to throw the first punch, then run to the back when the others steam in"
   • ▪ (of a gang of thieves) move rapidly through a public place, stealing things or robbing people on the way: informal "they led a gang which steamed through shops, stealing and threatening violence"
   • 4. be or become extremely agitated or angry: informal "you got all steamed up over nothing!"

   Word Origin Old Englishstēam ‘vapour’, stēman ‘emit a scent, be exhaled’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stoom ‘steam’.

   Scrabble Points: 7

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