n. & v.
n. 1 (usu. in pl.) exuded gas or smoke or vapour, esp. when harmful or unpleasant. 2 a fit of anger (in a fume).
v. 1 a intr. emit fumes. b tr. give off as fumes. 2 intr. (often foll. by at) be affected by (esp. suppressed) anger (was fuming at their inefficiency). 3 tr. a fumigate. b subject to fumes esp. those of ammonia (to darken tints in oak, photographic film, etc.). 4 tr. perfume with incense. fume cupboard (or chamber etc.) a ventilated structure in a laboratory, for storing or experimenting with noxious chemicals. fumeless adj. fumingly adv. fumy adj. (in sense 1 of n.).
[ ME f. OF fum f. L fumus smoke & OF fume f. fumer f. L fumare to smoke ]