Vapor
/ˈveɪ.pər/noun
A substance diffused or suspended in the air, especially one that is gaseous at room temperature.
Did you know?In ancient alchemy, vapor was often seen as the spirit of a substance, representing transformation and the ethereal nature of existence.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷeh₁-
“to breathe or blow, suggesting the essence of life.”
Latin
Latin
vapor
“mist, steam, or vapor, reflecting the physical phenomena of breath or steam.”
Old French
Old French
vapor
“steam or vapor, borrowed from Latin, maintaining the idea of breath.”
Middle English
Middle English
vapor
“mist or fog, derived from Old French, signifying a cloud-like state.”
Modern English
English
vapor
“a gaseous state of a substance, emphasizing the transition between liquid and gas.”