I. ˈwȯrm adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wearm; akin to Old High German warm warm and probably to Lithuanian virti to cook, boil
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : having or giving out heat to a moderate or adequate degree
warm weather
a warm fire
b. : serving to maintain or preserve heat especially to a satisfactory degree
a warm sweater
c. : feeling or causing sensations of heat brought about by strenuous exertion
2. : comfortably established : secure
3.
a. : marked by strong feeling : ardent
b. : marked by excitement, disagreement, or anger
the argument grew warm
4. : marked by or readily showing affection, gratitude, cordiality, or sympathy
a warm welcome
warm regards
5. : emphasizing or exploiting sexual imagery or incidents
6. : accompanied or marked by extreme danger or duress
7. : newly made : fresh
a warm scent
8. : having the color or tone of something that imparts heat ; specifically : of a hue in the range yellow through orange to red
9. : near to a goal, object, or solution sought
not there yet but getting warm
• warm·ish ˈwȯr-mish adjective
• warm·ness ˈwȯrm-nəs noun
II. verb
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to make warm
2.
a. : to infuse with a feeling of love, friendship, well-being, or pleasure
b. : to fill with anger, zeal, or passion
3. : to reheat (cooked food) for eating — often used with over
4. : to make ready for operation or performance by preliminary exercise or operation — often used with up
intransitive verb
1. : to become warm
2.
a. : to become ardent, interested, or receptive — usually used with to or toward
warm ed to the idea
b. : to become filled with affection or love — used with to or toward
3. : to experience feelings of pleasure : bask
4. : to become ready for operation or performance by preliminary activity — often used with up
III. adverb
Date: before 12th century
: warmly — usually used in combination
warm -clad