fume

Meanings

Noun

• A gas or vapour/vapor that is strong-smelling or dangerous to inhale.
• A material that has been vaporized from the solid or liquid state to the gas state and re-coalesced to the solid state.
• Rage or excitement which deprives the mind of self-control.
• Anything unsubstantial or airy; idle conceit; vain imagination.
• The incense of praise; inordinate flattery.
• A passionate person.

Verb

• To expose (something) to fumes; specifically, to expose wood, etc., to ammonia in order to produce dark tints.
• To apply or offer incense to.
• To emit fumes.
• To pass off in fumes or vapours.
• To express or feel great anger.
• To be as in a mist; to be dulled and stupefied.

Origin

• From Middle English fume, from Old French fum ("smoke, steam, vapour"), from Latin fūmus ("vapour, smoke"), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰuh₂mós ("smoke"), from *dʰewh₂-. thymus, and thymos. More at dun, dusk, dust.