I. ˈstēm noun
Etymology: Middle English stem, from Old English stēam; 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
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to give out as fumes : exhale
2. : to apply steam to ; especially : to expose to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)
intransitive verb
1. : to rise or pass off as vapor
2. : to give off steam or vapor
3.
a. : to move or travel by the agency of steam
b. : to move or proceed with energy or force
4. : to be angry : boil
steam ing over the insult