Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
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- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Stēam, n. p. 1292The elastic, airiform fluid into which water is converted, when heated to the boiling point; water in the gaseous state. 2. The mist formed by condensed vapor; visible vapor; — so called in popular…Stēam, v. i. p. 1292To rise or pass off in vapor, or like vapor; to fume. Let the crude humors dance In heated brass, steaming with fire intense. Philips. 2. To rise in steam-like vapor. The dissolved amber . . .…Stēam, v. t. p. 1292To 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…Stēam'-bōat, n. p. 1292A boat, especially one of large size, propelled through the water by steam.Stēam'-boil'er, n. p. 1292A boiler for generating steam, or for subjecting objects to the operation of steam.Stēam'-cār, n. p. 1292A car driven, or drawn, by steam-power.Stēam'-cār'riage, n. p. 1292A carriage upon wheels moved by steam on common roads.Stēam'-cās'ing, n. p. 1292A space filled with steam, surrounding any vessel, pipe, or the like, to prevent the loss of heat by radiation.Stēam'-chām'ber, n. p. 1292(Steam-boilers.) A vessel, or compartment, above the water, from which steam is conducted to the engine; — called also steam-room.Stēam'-chĕst, n. p. 1292The box from which steam is distributed to a cylinder, and which usually contains one or more valves;—called also valve-chest, and valve-box. [See Illust. of Valve-gear.]Stēam'-chīm'ney, n. p. 1292An annular chamber around the chimney of a boiler-furnace, for drying steam. [U. S.]Stēam'-crāne, n. p. 1292A steam-engine and a crane combined, for the purpose of shifting heavy weights.Stēam'-cyl'in-der, n. p. 1292The cylinder of a steam-engine, which contains the piston.Stēam'-dōme, n. p. 1292(Steam-boilers.) A chamber upon the top of the boiler, from which steam is conducted to the engine.Stēam'-drēdg'er, n. p. 1292A dredging-machine worked by steam-power.Stēam'-ēn'gine, n. p. 1292An engine moved by steam. It consists principally of a piston receiving motion in a cylinder to which steam is admitted by the valve-gear, and communicating motion to the valve-gear and to the…Stēam'er, n. p. 1292A vessel propelled by steam; a steamship. 2. A fire-engine, the pumps of which are worked by steam. 3. A vessel in which articles are subjected to the action of steam, as in washing or cookery.Stēam'er-dŭck, n. p. 1292(Ornith.) A species of duck of the genus Micropterus (M. brachypterus), having very small, short wings, and so called because it moves very swiftly over the surface of the water when flying…Stēam'-găs, n. p. 1292Superheated steam;—so called because it resembles a perfect gas.Stēam'-gāuġe, n. p. 1292An instrument for indicating the pressure of the steam in a boiler. ☞ The mercurial steam gauge is a bent tube partially filled with mercury, one end of which is connected with the boiler, while the…Stēam'-gŭn, n. p. 1292A machine or contrivance by which balls, or other projectiles, may be driven by the force of steam.Stēam'-hăm'mer, n. p. 1292A form of tilt or forgehammer, consisting of a steam-cylinder and piston placed vertically over an anvil, the hammer rising and falling by the power of steam. ☞ In the variety known as Nasmith's, the…Stēam'i-ness, n. p. 1292The quality or condition of being steamy; vaporousness; mistiness.Stēam'-jăck'et, n. p. 1292The same as STEAM-CASING.Stēam'-păck'et, n. p. 1292A packet or vessel propelled by steam, and running periodically between certain ports. Simmonds.Stēam'-pīpe, n. p. 1292Any pipe for conveying steam; specifically, a pipe communicating with the upper part of a boiler, through which the steam passes in its way to the cylinder.Stēam'-plow or Stēam'-plough, n. p. 1292A plow moved by steam.Stēam'-pōrt, n. p. 1292An opening for steam to pass through, as from the steam-chest into the cylinder.Stēam'-pow'er, n. p. 1292The force or energy of steam applied to produce results.Stēam'-pro-pĕl'ler, n. p. 1292See PROPELLER.Stēam'-rōom, n. p. 1292See STEAM-CHAMBER.Stēam'-shĭp, n. p. 1292A ship propelled by the power of steam.Stēam'-tōe, n. p. 1292See TOE.Stēam'-trăp, n. p. 1292A contrivance to allow the passage of water, and prevent the passage of steam. ☞ When steam and water enter at the top of the vessel shown, the bottom of the float closes the lower aperture, and…Stēam'-tŭg, n. p. 1292A steam-vessel used in towing ships.Stēam'-vĕs'sel, n. p. 1292A vessel propelled by steam; a steam-boat or steam-ship.Stēam'-wāy, n. p. 1292(Steam-eng.) A passage leading from a port to a cylinder.Stēam'-whĭs'tle, n. p. 1292An apparatus attached to a steam-engine or locomotive, through which steam is rapidly discharged, producing a loud, shrill whistle, which serves as a warning or signal. ☞ The steam issues from a…Stēam'-wĭnch, n. p. 1292A steam-engine combined with a winch for the purpose of raising weights.Stēam'y, a. p. 1292Consisting of, or resembling, steam; full of steam; vaporous; misty.Stēan, n. & v. t. p. 1292See STEEN. [Obs.]Stēan'ing, n. p. 1292See STEENING.Stē'a-rate, n. p. 1292(Chem.) A salt formed by the combination of stearic acid with a base.Ste-ăr'ic, a. p. 1292(Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, stearine. Stearic acid, an acid produced by the action of alkalies on stearine.Stē'a-rĭne, n. p. 1292(Chem.) (a.) One of the proximate principles of animal fat, to the proportional presence of which the greater or less solidity of fat appears to be due. (b.) Stearic acid; — popularly so called.…Stē'a-rōne, n. p. 1292(Chem.) A substance obtained by the partial decomposition of stearic acid with a fourth part of quick-lime. It is sparingly soluble in ether and alcohol, and is concrete at common temperatures, but…Stē'a-tīte, n. p. 1292(Min.) A soft magnesian rock having a soapy feel, presenting grayish-green, brown, and whitish shades of color. It is a variety of talc, and consists of silica and magnesia. It forms extensive beds…Stē'a-tĭt'ic, a. p. 1292Pertaining to, of the nature of, containing, or resembling, steatite.Ste-ăt'o-çēle, n. p. 1292(Med.) A tumor of the scrotum, containing fat.Stē'a-tō'mȧ, n. p. 1292(Med.) An encysted tumor, containing matter like suet. Coxe.Stē'a-tŏm'a-toŭs, a. p. 1292Of the nature of a steatoma.Stē'a-tŏp'y-gȧ, n. p. 1292A remarkable accretion of fat upon the buttocks in the Africans of certain tribes, especially in the Hottentot female.Stē'a-tŏp'y-goŭs, a. p. 1292Having fat buttocks. They were average specimens of the steatopygous Abyssinian breed. Burton.Stĕd, n. p. 1292See STEAD.Stĕd'fȧst, a. p. 1292See STEADFAST.Stee, n. p. 1292A ladder. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]Steed, n. p. 1293A horse, especially a spirited horse for state or war;—used chiefly in poetry or stately prose. “Mounted on a hot and fiery steed.” Shak. Stout are our men, and warlike are our steeds. Waller.Steed'less, a. p. 1293Having no steed; without a horse.Steek, v. t. p. 1293To shut or close; as, to steek the door. [Scot.] Burns. W. Scott.Steek'an, n. p. 1293A wine measure of about four gallons, used in Holland. Simmonds.