Fume

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /fjuːm/

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French fum ("smoke, steam, vapour"), from Latin fūmus (""), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰuh₂mós ("smoke"), from Proto-Indo-European *dhūw- ("to smoke, raise dust"). More at dun, dusk.

Full definition of fume

Noun

1. A gas or vapour/vapor that smells strongly or is dangerous to inhale. Fumes are solid particles formed by condensation from the gaseous state, e.g. metal oxides from volatilized metals. They can flocculate and coalesce. Their particle size is between 0.1 and 1 micron. (A micron is one millionth of a metre)Don't stand around in there breathing the fumes while the adhesive cures.
• T. Wartonthe fumes of new shorn hay
2. A material that has been vaporized from the solid state to the gas state and re-coalesced to the solid state.
3. Rage or excitement which deprives the mind of self-control.the fumes of passion
4. Anything unsubstantial or airy; idle conceit; vain imagination.
• Francis Bacona show of fumes and fancies
5. The incense of praise; inordinate flattery.
• Burtonto smother him with fumes and eulogies

Verb

1. To emit fumes.
• Miltonwhere the golden altar fumed
• RoscommonSilenus lay,
  Whose constant cups lay fuming to his brain.
2. To expose something (especially wood) to ammonia fumes in order to produce dark tints.
3. To feel or express great anger.He's still fuming about the argument they had yesterday.
• DrydenHe frets, he fumes, he stares, he stamps the ground.
• Sir Walter ScottHer mother did fret, and her father did fume.
4. To be as in a mist; to be dulled and stupefied.
• ShakespeareKeep his brain fuming.
5. To pass off in fumes or vapours.
• CheyneTheir parts are kept from fuming away by their fixity.

Usage notes

In the sense of strong-smelling or dangerous vapor, the noun is typically plural, as in the example.