Steam, stēm, n. the vapour of water—when dry, invisible and transparent like air, and not to be confused with the semi-liquid cloud which comes from the chimney of a locomotive; when superheated, changing the characteristics of a vapour for those belonging to what is known as a 'perfect gas:' the mist formed by condensed vapour: any vaporous exhalation: energy, force, spirit.—v.i. to rise or pass off in steam or vapour: to move by steam.—v.t. to expose to steam.—ns. Steam′boat, Steam′ship, Steam′-vess′el, a boat, ship, or vessel propelled by steam; Steam′-boil′er, a boiler for generating steam; Steam′-carriage, a carriage moved by steam on common roads; Steam′-chest, -dome, a chamber above a steam-boiler serving as a reservoir for steam; Steam′-crane, a crane worked by a steam-engine; Steam′-dig′ger, a machine for digging the soil by means of steam-power, the soil being thereby much more thoroughly pulverised than by ploughing; Steam′-en′gine, an engine or machine which changes heat into useful work through the medium of steam; Steam′er, a vessel moved by steam: a road-locomotive, &c.: a vessel in which articles are steamed; Steam′-gauge, an instrument for measuring the pressure of steam in a boiler; Steam′-gov′ernor, the governor of a steam-engine; Steam′-gun, a gun projecting a missile by means of steam; Steam′-hamm′er, a hammer consisting of a steam cylinder and piston placed vertically over an anvil, the hammer moved by the action of the steam; Steam′iness, the quality of being vaporous or misty; Steam′-jack′et, a hollow casing surrounding any vessel and into which steam may be admitted; Steam′-launch (see Launch); Steam′-navigā′tion, the propulsion of vessels by steam; Steam′-nav′vy, an excavator operated by steam in the making of docks, canals, &c.; Steam′-pack′et, a steam-vessel plying between certain ports; Steam′-pipe, a pipe for conveying steam; Steam′-plough, a plough or gang of ploughs worked by a steam-engine; Steam′-pow′er, the force of steam when applied to machinery; Steam′-press, a printing-press worked by steam; Steam′-print′ing, printing in which the presses are operated by steam; Steam′-trap, a contrivance for allowing the passage of water while preventing the passage of steam; Steam′-tug, a small steam-vessel used in towing ships; Steam′-whis′tle, an apparatus attached to a steam-engine through which steam is discharged, producing a sound in the manner of a common whistle.—adj. Steam′y, consisting of, or like, steam: full of steam or vapour.—n. Steam′-yacht, a yacht propelled by steam. [A.S. steám; cog. with Dut. stoom.]
Stean, Steen, stēn, n. a stone or earthenware vessel.—n. Stean′ing, the stone or brick lining of a well, &c. [A.S. stæn, stone.]
Steare, stēr, n. (Spens.) a steer or ox.
Stearine, stē′a-rīn, n. one of the fats occurring in animals and plants, the chief constituent of the more solid fats, such as mutton suet.—n. Stē′arāte, a salt formed by the combination of stearic acid with a base.—adj. Stēar′ic, pertaining to, or obtained from, stearine.—n. Stēarrhē′a, an abnormal increase of secretion from the oil-glands of the skin.—Stearic acid, an acid abundant in fats. [Gr. stear, steatos, suet—histanai, to make to stand, to fix.]
Steatite, stē′a-tīt, n. soapstone, a compact or massive variety of talc, a hydrous silicate of magnesia, white or yellow, soft and greasy to the touch—used by tailors for marking cloth, and called Briançon Chalk, French Chalk, and Venice Talc.—adj. Stēatit′ic.—ns. Stēatī′tis, inflammation of the fatty tissue; Stē′atocele, a fatty tumour in the scrotum; Stēatō′ma, a fatty encysted tumour.—adj. Stēatom′atous.—n. Stēatop′yga, an accumulation of fat on the buttocks of the Bushmen women.—adj. Stēatop′ygous, fat-buttocked.—n. Stēatō′sis, fatty degeneration of an organ, as the heart. [Gr. steatitēs—stear, steatos, suet.]
Steboy, ste-boi′, interj. a cry in setting on a dog.—Also Hist′aboy.
Stedfast=Steadfast.
Steed, stēd, n. a horse or stallion, esp. a spirited horse. [A.S. stéda, from stód, a stud; Ger. stute, a stud-mare, ge-stüte, a stud.]
Steedy, stēd′i, adj. (Spens.) steady.
Steek, stēk, n. (Scot.) a stitch.—v.t. to pierce, to stitch: to close.