I. ˈvā-pər noun
Etymology: Middle English vapour, from Anglo-French vapor, from Latin, steam, vapor
Date: 14th century
1. : diffused matter (as smoke or fog) suspended floating in the air and impairing its transparency
2.
a. : a substance in the gaseous state as distinguished from the liquid or solid state
b. : a substance (as gasoline, alcohol, mercury, or benzoin) vaporized for industrial, therapeutic, or military uses ; also : a mixture (as the explosive mixture in an internal combustion engine) of such a vapor with air
3.
a. : something unsubstantial or transitory : phantasm
b. : a foolish or fanciful idea
4. plural
a. archaic : exhalations of bodily organs (as the stomach) held to affect the physical or mental condition
b. : a depressed or hysterical nervous condition
II. intransitive verb
( va·pored ; va·por·ing -p(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : to rise or pass off in vapor
b. : to emit vapor
2. : to indulge in bragging, blustering, or idle talk
• va·por·er -pər-ər noun