I. ˈhēt verb
Etymology: Middle English heten, from Old English hǣtan; akin to Old English hāt hot
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to become warm or hot
2. : to start to spoil from heat
transitive verb
1. : to make warm or hot
2. : excite
• heat·able ˈhē-tə-bəl adjective
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English hete, from Old English hǣte, hǣtu; akin to Old English hāt hot
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : a condition of being hot : warmth
(2) : a marked or notable degree of hotness
b. : pathological excessive bodily temperature
c. : a hot place or situation
d.
(1) : a period of heat
(2) : a single complete operation of heating ; also : the quantity of material so heated
e.
(1) : added energy that causes substances to rise in temperature, fuse, evaporate, expand, or undergo any of various other related changes, that flows to a body by contact with or radiation from bodies at higher temperatures, and that can be produced in a body (as by compression)
(2) : the energy associated with the random motions of the molecules, atoms, or smaller structural units of which matter is composed
f. : appearance, condition, or color of a body as indicating its temperature
2.
a. : intensity of feeling or reaction : passion
b. : the height or stress of an action or condition
in the heat of battle
c. : sexual excitement especially in a female mammal ; specifically : estrus
3. : a single continuous effort: as
a. : a single round of a contest (as a race) having two or more rounds for each contestant
b. : one of several preliminary contests held to eliminate less competent contenders
4. : pungency of flavor
5.
a. slang
(1) : the intensification of law-enforcement activity or investigation
(2) : police
b. : pressure , coercion
c. : abuse , criticism
took heat for her mistakes
6. : smoke 8
7. slang : gun 1b
• heat·less ˈhēt-ləs adjective
• heat·proof -ˈprüf adjective