Steel1, n.
n. [A-S. stēl, styl, for stæhel, L. Ger., D., & Dan. staal, Sw. stål, Icel. stál, O. H. Ger. stahal, M. H. Ger. stāhal, stāl, N. H. Ger. stahl.]
Sense 1. Iron combined with a small portion of carbon. It is used in making instruments, and is especially useful as the material of edged tools.
Sense 2. Hence, an instrument made of steel, as a sword, knife, or the like. “Brave Macbeth with his brandished steel.” Shak.
While doubting thus he stood, Received the steel bathed in his brother’s blood. Dryden.
Sense 3. Specifically, an instrument of steel for sharpening table knives upon.
Sense 4. Any thing of extreme hardness; hardness; sternness; rigor. “Hands of steel.” Johnson. “Manhood’s heart of steel.” Byron.
Sense 5. (Med.) A chalybeate medicine. Dunglison.
☞ Steel is often used in the formation of compounds of very obvious meaning; as, steel-cap, steel-clad, steel-girt, steel-hearted, steel-plated, steel-pointed, and the like.
Bessemer steel (named from the inventor), steel made from the liquid cast iron as it comes from the smelting furnace by blowing air into it, thus burning out a portion of the carbon. It is then drawn into bars, &c.—Blister steel, steel made from wrought iron by interlaying it with charcoal, and keeping it at a high temperature for a number of days.—Cast steel, steel made from wrought iron or blister steel by mixing it with powdered charcoal or other carbonaceous substances, after which it is melted in a crucible, cast into ingots, and rolled or hammered into bars, plates, cannon, and the like.—Puddled steel, steel made from cast iron (pigs) by a modification of the puddling process.