Steam
/stiːm/noun
Hot vapor formed when water boils or evaporates.
Did you know?English steam is related to Latin fumus and Greek atmos, all circling the same ancient idea of something that rises into the air like a visible spirit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰewh₂-
“to smoke, emit vapor, rise in a cloud”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*staumaz
“steam, vapor”
Old English
OE
stēam
“steam, vapor, fumes”
Middle English
ME
steem
“steam, vapor”
Modern English
English
steam
“hot vapor from boiling water or other heated liquid”
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