Steam

n. [A-S. steám, stēm, stym, D. stoom, Fries. stoome; L. Ger. stēm, weather when snow or rain is drifted by the wind.]

1Sense 1. The elastic, airiform fluid into which water is converted, when heated to the boiling point; water in the gaseous state.

2Sense 2. The mist formed by condensed vapor; visible vapor; — so called in popular usage.

3Sense 3. Any exhalation. “A steam of rich, distilled perfumes.” Milton.

High steam, or high-pressure steam, steam of which the temperature is considerably above the boiling point. — Low steam, or low-pressure steam, steam at the boiling temperature. — Saturated steam, steam as delivered from a mass of water, and holding water in suspension mechanically; — called also wet steam. — Superheated steam, steam removed from contact with water, and heated until it resembles a perfect gas; — called also surcharged steam, anhydrous steam, and steam-gas. Steam heated only until the water it holds in suspension is vaporized, is erroneously called superheated steam. It might properly be called pure steam. Dry steam ordinarily refers to steam so delivered or drained that it holds little water in suspension. — Steam colors (Calico Printing), colors in which the chemical reaction fixing the coloring matter to the fiber is produced by steam.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. STEAMED; p. pr. & vb. n. STEAMING.]

1Sense 1. To rise or pass off in vapor, or like vapor; to fume.

Let the crude humors dance In heated brass, steaming with fire intense. Philips.

2Sense 2. To rise in steam-like vapor.

The dissolved amber . . . steamed away into the air. Boyle.

3Sense 3. To move or travel by the agency of steam.

The vessel steamed out of port. N. P. Willis.

v. t. 1. To exhale; to evaporate. Spenser. 2. To expose to steam; to apply steam to for softening, dressing, or preparing: as, to steam cloth; to steam potatoes, instead of boiling them; to steam food for cattle.