n.
Pronunciation: ' st ē m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English stem, from Old English st ē am; akin to Dutch stoom steam
Date: before 12th century
1 : a vapor arising from a heated substance
2 a : the invisible vapor into which water is converted when heated to the boiling point b : the mist formed by the condensation on cooling of water vapor
3 a : water vapor kept under pressure so as to supply energy for heating, cooking, or mechanical work also : the power so generated b : active force : POWER , MOMENTUM <got there under his own steam > <sales began to pick up steam > also : normal force <at full steam > c : pent-up emotional tension <needed to let off a little steam >
4 a : STEAMER 2A b : travel by or a trip in a steamer