From Middle English stele, stel, from Old English stīele, from Proto-West Germanic *stahlī (“something made of steel”), enlargement of *stahl (“steel”), from Proto-Germanic *stahlą, from *stah- or *stag- (“to be firm, rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European *stak- (“to stay, to be firm”). Compare Scots stele, Yola stehli, German Stahl, Dutch staal, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish stål.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Made of steel.
I will grasp the mountain-hedgehog, prickles and all, with my steel-gauntlet. 1829 May 2, [Walter Scott], chapter III, in Anne of Geierstein; or, The Maiden of the Mist. […], volume III, Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Company] for Cadell and Co., […]; London: Simpkin and Marshall, […], →OCLC, page 78:
King Peter attributed his father's, King Alexander's, death to the fact that...he had not worn his steel-mesh bullet-proof shirt. 1976, J. Wheeler-Bennett, Friends, Enemies, & Sovereigns, V, 156:
The tyrant custome...Hath made the flinty and steele Cooch of warre, My thrice driuen bed of downe. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], line 229:
Strained in stel ger on steedes of might. mid-14th century, Alisaunder, 416
(not-comparable) Similar to steel in color, strength, or the like; steely.
Prison my heart in thy steele bosomes warde. 1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 133”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:
Wher neuer cessing soyle doth steelebright stuff send out from mines. c. 1560, Vergil, translated by T. Phaer, Nyne Fyrst Books of the Eneidos, section X:
(not-comparable) Of or belonging to the manufacture or trade in steel.
East Chicago, Ind., a smoky Lake Michigan steel town that isn't exactly famous for its esthetic splendor even when the sun shines. 1976 January 24, National Observer, 1, 1:
[T]he discoverie of the yron and steele mines. 1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “[Book VII.] LVI.”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], 1st tome, London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC, page 188:
From their new dungeons at Chantilly, Aristocrats may hear the rustle of our new steel furnace there. 1837, Thomas Carlyle, chapter VI, in The French Revolution: A History […], volume III (The Guillotine), London: James Fraser, […], →OCLC, book V (Terror the Order of the Day), page 327:
(not-comparable, obsolete) Containing steel.
To mix some Sugar of steel, or steel wine with the first glass. 1652, J. French, York-shire Spaw, X, 92:
I have found a singular Virtue in Steel drops, præpared after my Mode. 1675, G. Harvey, Dis. of London, XXIV, 264:
I...take some nasty steel drops, & may head has been bettr. 1713 February 17, Journal to Stella, Jonathan Swift, II, 622:
(not-comparable) Engraved on steel.
The best picture I have had yet is the steel frontis-piece to my new book. 1880, Mark Twain, letter
Forms
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steele
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
Translations (23)
bg стоманен (similar to steel in color, strength, or the like) · de stählern (made of steel) · uk стальни́й (made of steel) · ang stīelen (made of steel) · uk стальо́вий (similar to steel in color, strength, or the like) · nl stalen (made of steel) · cs ocelový (made of steel) · ru стально́й (made of steel) · es acerado (similar to steel in color, strength, or the like) · es acerado (made of steel) · eo ŝtala (made of steel) · mk челичен (made of steel) · uk стале́вий (made of steel) · fi teräksinen (made of steel) · uk стале́вий (similar to steel in color, strength, or the like) · pl stalowy (made of steel) · uk кри́це́вий (similar to steel in color, strength, or the like) · ml ഉരുക്ക് (made of steel) · uk стальни́й (similar to steel in color, strength, or the like) · uk стальо́вий (made of steel) · la chalybēïus (made of steel) · uk кри́це́вий (made of steel) · bg стоманен (made of steel)
From Middle English stele, stel, from Old English stīele, from Proto-West Germanic *stahlī (“something made of steel”), enlargement of *stahl (“steel”), from Proto-Germanic *stahlą, from *stah- or *stag- (“to be firm, rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European *stak- (“to stay, to be firm”). Compare Scots stele, Yola stehli, German Stahl, Dutch staal, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish stål.
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) An artificial metal produced from iron, harder and more elastic than elemental iron; used figuratively as a symbol of hardness.
For the iron to be made into steel (defined as iron with a carefully controlled carbon content of 1.7 percent or less) the sulfur, the silicon, and the excess carbon must be removed. 1976 July 14, Scientific American, 68 2:
Accearium steeli. c. 825, Epinal Gloss., section 49:
...Like a man of Steele. c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv], line 33:
Weman...with wordis cane rycht wele our-cum mene hard as stele. c. 1480, St. Mary Magdalen, 408 in 1896, W. M. Metcalfe, Legends Saints Sc. Dial., I 267
Steel may be roughly defined as an alloy of iron and carbon containing up to 1.7% carbon, all of the carbon being in the combined condition. A second definition, distinguishing it from cast or wrought iron, is that it has been produced in the molten condition, and a third states that steel can be hardened by quenching from a suitably high temperature. There are...certain exceptions to all these definitions. 1946, Thorpe's Dictionary of Applied Chemistry, 4th edition, VII 47 1:
Steel properties vary based on composition and processing. Different formulations and manufacturing methods produce steels with a spectrum of characteristics, including yield strength. 2024 March 23, “Yield Strength of Steel: A Comprehensive Guide”, in Unionfab, archived from the original on 13 Jan 2026:
Ocearium stæli. c. 725, Corpus Gloss., published 1431:
The purest part thereof [of iron ore] which in Latine is called Nucleus ferri, i. the kernell or heart of the yron (and it is that which we call steele) 1601, Pliny, translated by P. Holland, Hist. World, II xxxiv xiv 514:
Employeng the steell of his swerd the most best wyse that in hym was possible. c. 1473, Raoul Le Fèvre, translated by William Caxton, The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye, section I:
The bars are exposed to two or three successive processes of cementation, and are hence said to be twice or thrice converted into steels. 1839, A. Ure, Dict. Arts, published 1172:
US Steel was once a symbol of American industrial power. It was the most valuable company in the world and, soon after its 1901 creation, became the first to be worth $1 billion. Its steel helped build America, from the skyscrapers dotting city landscapes to the cars speeding down highways, to the appliances inside millions of homes. 2025 June 13, Luciana Lopez, Chris Isidore, “US Steel and Nippon Steel say Trump has approved their partnership”, in CNN Business, archived from the original on 25 Aug 2025:
Shall yron breake the Northren yron, and the steele? 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jeremiah 15:12:
Þe alle þine leomen wule to-draȝen. þeh þu weore stel al. c. 1275, Laȝamon, Brut, 12916
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ Bladed or pointed weapons, as swords, javelins, daggers.
But who wou'd dream that out of abundant Charity and Brotherly Love shou'd come Steel, Fire, Gibbets, Rods. 1712, Lord Shaftesbury, Characteristicks, III 115:
While one man was beating off the swords, the waters stole up silently and took him. Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the steel came up and encompassed him. The flowing waters were befouled with the gory spray. Thus the Ruthenians were conquered... 1905, Saxo Grammaticus, translated by Oliver Elton, The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo Grammaticus, section II:
For heom ne may halter ne bridel Bringe from here wode wyse, Ne mon mid stele ne mid ire. c. 1250, The Owl & the Nightengale, published 1030:
They have asked for the steel. They shall have it now; Out cutlasses and board! 1892, Rudyard Kipling, Barrack-room Ballads, section 139:
For braue Macbeth (well hee deſerues that Name)
Diſdayning Fortune, with his brandiſht Steele,
Which ſmoak'd with bloody execution
(Like Valours Minion) caru'd out his paſſage. c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], line 35:
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ A piece used for striking sparks from flint or ferrocerium.
The Cock falling with its wonted violence upon the Steel. 1660, Robert Boyle, New Experiments Physico-mechanicall, XIV 89:
Of ston mid stel in ðe tunder wel to brennen one ðis wunder. c. 1220, Bestiary, section 535:
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ Armor.
Þai gun hem boþe armi In iren and stiel þat tide. c. 1330, Sir Tristrem, L 3324:
In compleate steele. c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], page 33:
She that has [chastity], is clad in compleat steel. 1634 October 9 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC, page 421:
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ A honing steel, a tool used to sharpen or hone metal blades.
When he came to Nottingham, he entered that part of the market where butchers stood, and took up his inn in the best place he could find. Next, he opened his stall and spread his meat upon the bench, then, taking his cleaver and steel and clattering them together, he trolled aloud in merry tones... 1883, Howard Pyle, chapter V, in The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood […], New York, N.Y.: […] Charles Scribner’s Sons […], →OCLC:
The steill to scherp the schawing jrne. 1541 in 1844, J. Stuart, Extracts of the Council Register of Aberdeen, I 176
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ Pieces used to strengthen, support, or expand an item of clothing.
I suppose the bullet must have struck the steels in my corsets. 1904 February 22, Daily Chron, 5 4:
I haue a ruffe is a quarter deep, measured by the yeard... You haue a pretty set too, how big is the steele you set with? 1608, G. Markham et al., Dumbe Knight, section I:
(countable, dialectal, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ A flat iron.
One of them having occasion to use a Steele, smoothing Iron, or some such kinde of Laundry Instrument. 1638, J. Taylor, Bull, Beare, & Horse, C5:
(countable, dialectal, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ A sewing needle; a knitting needle; a sharp metal stylus.
The threaded steel...Flies swiftly. 1785, William Cowper, Task, IV 165:
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ An engraving plate.
A re-issue of the Examples of the Architecture of Venice. By John Ruskin... With the Text, and the 16 Plates (10 Steels and 6 Lithographs) as originally published. 1887 June 11, Athenæum, 779 1:
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ Projectiles.
The crews at the port batteries were pumping steel at the enemy. 1898 June 1, Westminster Gazette, 5 1:
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ A fringe of beads or decoration of this metal.
A trailing skirt embroidered in what is termed fine steel. 1899 January 26, Daily News, 6 3:
(countable, uncountable) Any item made of this metal, particularly including: ▸ A type of slide used while playing the steel guitar.
(obsolete, uncountable) Medicinal consumption of this metal; chalybeate medicine; (eventually) any iron or iron-treated water consumed as a medical treatment.
The Doctor tells me I must go into a Course of Steel, tho I have not the Spleen. 1712 September 18, Journal to Stella, Jonathan Swift, II 558:
A stronger physick is now necessary, perhaps a whole course of steel: A physick, God knowes, that this Kingdome hath been under five or six yeares. 1649, H. Hammond, Christians Obligations, X 253:
Steel is not so good as Iron for Medicinal Operation. 1704, J. Harris, Lexicon Technicum, volume L:
I...am really only kept alive by steel. 1866, Princess Alice, Mem., section 158:
(qualifier:colors, uncountable) The gray hue of this metal; steel-gray, or steel blue.
It was a clear steel-blue day. The firmaments of air and sea were hardly separable in that all-pervading azure; only, the pensive air was transparently pure and soft, with a woman’s look, and the robust and man-like sea heaved with long, strong, lingering swells, as Samson’s chest in his sleep. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Chapter 132”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
Falkenhayn gave...to Jane a steel glacé silk dress. 1851 Dec 28, E. Ruskin, letter in 1965, M. Lutyens, Effie in Venice, II 236
(countable, figuratively, uncountable) Extreme hardness or resilience.
Forms
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Source
steels
Number=Plur
lexicographic
steele
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
Deriveds
steel magnolia (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · bronze steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel guitarist (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · weathering steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel man (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · turning steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel beach party (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelless (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Damascus steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · console steel guitar (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · lap steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel pannist (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel drops (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · German steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · nickel steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · native steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel pot helmet (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · mild steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · ovaries of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · natural steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel mine (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel iron (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-thin (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-bright (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · silver steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel lustre (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-ore (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-grey (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · vanadium steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelworking (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · damascus steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel drum (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelback (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel framework (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelwork (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · bright lights and cold steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · transparisteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-black (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-making (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · granulated steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steely (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steellike (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel drummer (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel driver (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · low steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · semisteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelpan (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · blister-steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-studded (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel head (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-hard (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-bound (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · ring of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · salt of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · cold steel and bright lights (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Steele (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-maker (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-grained (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-shafted (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steeler (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelify (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · table steel guitar (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel bender (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-strong (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · flowers of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · low-background steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelie (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel guitar (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · cement steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-hilted (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel town (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-straight (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel mill (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · nonsteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel toys (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · maraging steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel pot (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelband (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-clad (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-cut (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Siemens-Martin steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel bronze (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel square (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-green (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · nerves of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · radiosteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · alloy steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelen (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-lined (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · marage steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · austenitic steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelclad (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel wheel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel marl (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · electrosteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel plant (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-grated (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · high steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · India steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · table steel guitarist (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-bow (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · manganese steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-topped (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Damask steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-graven (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel pan orchestra (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-girt (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel blue (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel bandsman (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-wool (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel engraving (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-erector (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · pedal steel guitarist (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · wheels of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-sharp (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · lap steel guitar (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel pill (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel beetle (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · presteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · phosphorus steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · pedal steel guitar (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-worker (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Bessemer steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · high speed steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · mind like a steel trap (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Toledo steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · balls of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-born (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel finch (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelmaker (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-framed (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · lap steel guitarist (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · draw one's steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel fixer (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelworker (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-tipped (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel water (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-face (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · structural steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel band (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel pan (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel master (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-engraver (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · firesteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · pedal steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel fall (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-colored (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · console steel guitarist (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-facing (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-pointed (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelyard (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · table steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-using (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · plasteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · blister steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-nose (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel wool (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-faced (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelhead (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-tempered (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · spring steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-blue (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel trap (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · crucible steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelmaking (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · silicon steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel bar (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel worker (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · man of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · finger steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel orchestra (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · sugar of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelman (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel trade (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-nerved (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · hard steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · oxysteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-bosomed (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-shod (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel frame (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steels (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel saddle (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Biosteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-browed (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel to the very back (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel beach picnic (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · high-speed steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Hadfield steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelworks (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · tincture of steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelware (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelmaster (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel cage match (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · soft steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · carbon steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · Steelboy (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel lozenge (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel tape (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel grain (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-barred (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-toe boot (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-hardened (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-piercing (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-string guitar (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · true as steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel ring (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-rolling (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · resteel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel pipe (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steely-eyed (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · weld steel (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel horse (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steelification (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel wine (Terms derived from steel (noun)) · steel-engraved (Terms derived from steel (noun))
vls stoal (metal produced from iron) · ceb asiro (metal produced from iron) · sh надо (metal produced from iron) · rup ciulichi (metal produced from iron) · am ንጥር ብረት (metal produced from iron) · kum болат (metal produced from iron) · ml ഉരുക്ക് (metal produced from iron) · mba puthaw (metal produced from iron) · nv béésh ntłʼizígíí (metal produced from iron) · os ӕндон (metal produced from iron) · iba bari (metal produced from iron) · ko 강철 (metal produced from iron) · sh челик (metal produced from iron) · lmo azzal (metal produced from iron) · zh 鋼鐵 /钢铁 (metal produced from iron) · rm atschal (metal produced from iron) · pl stal (metal produced from iron) · el ατσάλι (metal produced from iron) · ty ʻāuri (metal produced from iron) · myv стал (metal produced from iron) · am ዐረብ ብረት (metal produced from iron) · tg пӯлод (metal produced from iron) · dsb stal (metal produced from iron) · mi tīra (metal produced from iron) · mel baja (metal produced from iron) · fo stál (metal produced from iron) · sk oceľ (metal produced from iron) · hi फ़ूलाद (metal produced from iron) · yo irin (metal produced from iron) · kca-nor тарм карты (metal produced from iron) · io stalo (metal produced from iron) · mn болд (metal produced from iron) · mfe lasie (metal produced from iron) · yrk-tun сиеся (metal produced from iron) · khb ᦵᦜᧅᦂᦱᧉ (metal produced from iron) · cy stil (metal produced from iron) · ms baja (metal produced from iron) · cy dur (metal produced from iron) · gag çelik (metal produced from iron) · zza sitıl (honing steel) · lez гьулдан (metal produced from iron) · bua булад (metal produced from iron) · ms besi waja (metal produced from iron) · lt plienas (metal produced from iron) · sh čelik (metal produced from iron) · udm сталь (metal produced from iron) · xal болд (metal produced from iron) · tyv каң (metal produced from iron) · bg точи́ло (honing steel) · ca acer (metal produced from iron) · sq çelik (metal produced from iron) · co acciaghju (metal produced from iron) · es chaira (honing steel) · dv އެކަތަ (metal produced from iron) · bbl ფოლად (metal produced from iron) · izh teräs (metal produced from iron) · da stål (metal produced from iron) · ga cruach (metal produced from iron) · lv tērauds (metal produced from iron) · ceb aserawo (metal produced from iron) · ur فَولاد (metal produced from iron) · fy steal (metal produced from iron) · hi फ़ौलाद (metal produced from iron) · bg стома́на (metal produced from iron) · crh çelik (metal produced from iron) · it acciaio (metal produced from iron) · fr fusil (honing steel) · hil aséro (metal produced from iron) · ady щылыч (metal produced from iron) · hy պողպատ (metal produced from iron) · mg vy mahery (metal produced from iron) · la aciarium (metal produced from iron) · be сталь (metal produced from iron) · xh isitali (metal produced from iron) · wym śtöł (metal produced from iron) · ms besi melela (metal produced from iron) · uz poʻlat (metal produced from iron) · ckb پۆڵا (metal produced from iron) · lo ເຫລັກກ້າ (metal produced from iron) · kca-nor этап карты (metal produced from iron) · mt azzar (metal produced from iron) · an acero (metal produced from iron) · gld ган (metal produced from iron) · fur açâl (metal produced from iron) · co acciaru (metal produced from iron) · rcf lasié (metal produced from iron) · cs ocílka (honing steel) · ru сталь (metal produced from iron) · sl jeklo (metal produced from iron) · mdh wagia (metal produced from iron) · bo ངར་ལྕགས (metal produced from iron) · kk болат (metal produced from iron) · is stál (metal produced from iron) · zh 鋼 /钢 (metal produced from iron) · uk сталь (metal produced from iron) · lld azal (metal produced from iron) · ms keluli (metal produced from iron) · udm андан (metal produced from iron) · fa فولاد (metal produced from iron) · ceb asero (metal produced from iron) · su waja (metal produced from iron) · yi שטאָל (metal produced from iron) · os болат (metal produced from iron) · oc acièr (metal produced from iron) · to sitila (metal produced from iron) · sh оцјел (metal produced from iron) · sah ыстаал (metal produced from iron) · vi thép (metal produced from iron) · km ដែកថែប (metal produced from iron) · ka ფოლადი (metal produced from iron) · nn stål (metal produced from iron) · nrf acyi (metal produced from iron) · myv уклат (metal produced from iron) · bn ইস্পাত (metal produced from iron) · gl aceiro (metal produced from iron) · fi teräs (metal produced from iron) · tk polat (metal produced from iron) · xh isinyithi (metal produced from iron) · az polad (metal produced from iron) · kbd жыр (metal produced from iron) · sq arënx (metal produced from iron) · th เหล็ก (metal produced from iron) · cs ocel (metal produced from iron) · vec çal (metal produced from iron) · vep teraz (metal produced from iron) · xmf ფულანდი (metal produced from iron) · cv хурҫӑ (metal produced from iron) · af staal (metal produced from iron) · ja はがね (metal produced from iron) · tl patalim (metal produced from iron) · gd stàilinn (metal produced from iron) · hu acél (metal produced from iron) · ba ҡорос (metal produced from iron) · gv staillinagh (metal produced from iron) · rup cilechi (roa-rup) (metal produced from iron) · mn ган (metal produced from iron) · crh bolat (metal produced from iron) · vec açal (metal produced from iron) · ang stīele (metal produced from iron) · ca xaira (honing steel) · nap acciaro (metal produced from iron) · ce бо̄лат (metal produced from iron) · ady жыр (metal produced from iron) · nb stål (metal produced from iron) · enh бяси (metal produced from iron) · mk че́лик (metal produced from iron) · evn сталь (metal produced from iron) · liv tierōda (metal produced from iron) · mwl aço (metal produced from iron) · et teras (metal produced from iron) · pms assel (metal produced from iron) · sva ფოლა̈დ (metal produced from iron) · ht asye (metal produced from iron) · mk о́стрило (honing steel) · th เหล็กกล้า (metal produced from iron) · scn azzaru (metal produced from iron) · mr पोलाद (metal produced from iron) · kjh молат (metal produced from iron) · hi इस्पात (metal produced from iron) · de Stahl (metal produced from iron) · ta உருக்கு (metal produced from iron) · crh болат (metal produced from iron) · haw kila (metal produced from iron) · kmr pola (metal produced from iron) · sh nado (metal produced from iron) · krl stali (metal produced from iron) · grc χάλυψ (metal produced from iron) · rcf lasyé (metal produced from iron) · egl azär (metal produced from iron) · tyv булат (metal produced from iron) · sw feleji (metal produced from iron) · ta எஃகு (metal produced from iron) · rm itschal (metal produced from iron) · br dir (metal produced from iron) · yue 鋼 /钢 (metal produced from iron) · mrw wadiya (metal produced from iron) · ast aceru (metal produced from iron) · tl asero (metal produced from iron) · zza çalıg (metal produced from iron) · abq джыр (metal produced from iron) · oc acèr (metal produced from iron) · mg tsy (metal produced from iron) · he פְּלָדָה (metal produced from iron) · vec azhal (metal produced from iron) · ab аџыр (metal produced from iron) · rup cilíche (metal produced from iron) · rm atschel (metal produced from iron) · krc къурч (metal produced from iron) · gv staillin (metal produced from iron) · tl paslip (metal produced from iron) · ja 鋼鉄 (metal produced from iron) · gcr asyé (metal produced from iron) · ro oțel (metal produced from iron) · yue 鋼鐵 /钢铁 (metal produced from iron) · nds Stahl (metal produced from iron) · kw dur (metal produced from iron) · el χάλυβας (metal produced from iron) · ky болот (metal produced from iron) · ur اِسْپات (metal produced from iron) · gu પોલાદ (metal produced from iron) · kn ಉಕ್ಕು (metal produced from iron) · zu isitili (metal produced from iron) · alt болот (metal produced from iron) · vo stal (metal produced from iron) · ady шыр (metal produced from iron) · ur فُولاد (metal produced from iron) · evn болот (metal produced from iron) · lbe чаннан (metal produced from iron) · ug پولات (metal produced from iron) · id baja (metal produced from iron) · ti ኣቻዮ (metal produced from iron) · shn သမ်ႇမၼီႉ (metal produced from iron) · ms setal (metal produced from iron) · mnw က္ဍာၚ် (metal produced from iron) · vro teräs (metal produced from iron) · eo ŝtalo (metal produced from iron) · pt aço (metal produced from iron) · mhr вурс (metal produced from iron) · tr çelik (metal produced from iron) · lb Stol (metal produced from iron) · tt корыч (metal produced from iron) · evn уклэт (metal produced from iron) · lmo azal (metal produced from iron) · lmo assàl (metal produced from iron) · ceb puthaw (metal produced from iron) · mi maitai (metal produced from iron) · crh челик (metal produced from iron) · alt болоды (metal produced from iron) · te ఉక్కు (metal produced from iron) · ar فُولَاذ (metal produced from iron) · sv stål (metal produced from iron) · hsb wocl (metal produced from iron) · inh болат (metal produced from iron) · la chalybs (metal produced from iron) · rsk челїк (metal produced from iron) · mai इसपात (metal produced from iron) · fa پولاد (metal produced from iron) · iba baja (metal produced from iron) · nl staal (metal produced from iron) · eu altzairu (metal produced from iron) · my သံမဏိ (metal produced from iron) · vec asal (metal produced from iron) · ms besi baja (metal produced from iron) · fr acier (metal produced from iron) · ia aciero (metal produced from iron) · uk кри́ця (metal produced from iron) · sw chuma cha pua (metal produced from iron) · fur açâr (metal produced from iron) · sq acar (metal produced from iron) · hit 𒆠𒅅𒇻𒁀 (metal produced from iron) · sm sila (metal produced from iron) · li staol (metal produced from iron) · es acero (metal produced from iron) · sh ocjel (metal produced from iron)
From Middle English stele, stel, from Old English stīele, from Proto-West Germanic *stahlī (“something made of steel”), enlargement of *stahl (“steel”), from Proto-Germanic *stahlą, from *stah- or *stag- (“to be firm, rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European *stak- (“to stay, to be firm”). Compare Scots stele, Yola stehli, German Stahl, Dutch staal, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish stål.
Meanings
(literally, transitive) To treat, furnish with, or transform into steel. ▸ To edge, cover, or point with steel.
It was the common notion...that the art of steeling tools in the highest degree of perfection was certainly lost to the moderns. 1831, John Holland, A Treatise on the Progressive Improvement and Present State of the Manufactures in Metal, I 220:
When God...draws aside his curtain, and shows his arsenal and his armory, full of arrows steeled with wrath. 1651, Bishop Jeremy Taylor, XXVIII Sermons Preacht at Golden Grove, Being for the Summer Half-year, XIX 248:
Hure þolien ant a beoren hare unirude duntes wið mealles istelet. c. 1240, “Sawles Warde”, in The Cotton Homilies, section 253:
(literally, obsolete, of mirrors, transitive) To treat, furnish with, or transform into steel. ▸ To back with steel.
Nay, a Crystall glasse will not show a man his face, except it be steeled, except it be darkned on the backside. c. 1630, John Donne, Sermons, VI 289:
(literally, obsolete, transitive) To treat, furnish with, or transform into steel. ▸ To treat a liquid with steel for medicinal purposes.
She drunk her drink steeled, with which she was cured. 1657, J. Hall, translated by J. Cooke, Cures, section 117:
(literally, transitive) To treat, furnish with, or transform into steel. ▸ To electroplate an item (particularly an engraving plate) with a layer of iron.
My large dry-point,...called Two Stumps of Driftwood, gave 1000 copies (after being steeled) without perceptible wearing. 1880, P. G. Hamerton, Etching & Etchers, 3rd edition, section 342:
(literally, transitive) To treat, furnish with, or transform into steel. ▸ To sharpen with a honing steel.
(literally, transitive) To treat, furnish with, or transform into steel. ▸ To steelify; to turn iron into steel.
It seems evident that by the beginning of the 10th century B.C. blacksmiths were intentionally steeling iron. 1977 Oct, Scientific American, 127 1:
By passing an electric current thus through the bars the operation of steeling is much hastened. 1853, Jrnl. Franklin Inst., CXXV 303:
(figuratively, transitive) To cause to resemble steel. ▸ To harden or strengthen; to nerve or make obdurate; to fortify against.
Giue me my heart...O giue it me lest thy hard heart do steele it, And being steeld, soft sighes can neuer graue it. 1593, [William Shakespeare], Venus and Adonis, London: […] Richard Field, […], →OCLC:
Ile in to vrge his hatred more to Clarence, With lies well steeld with weighty arguments. c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], line 148:
But stil he was so steelde With heart so good, as victor he dead left them in the field. 1581, Homer, translated by A. Hall, 10 Bks. Iliades, VI 110:
The rich experience of a long life steeled in the victorious struggle with every unchristian element. 1882, F. W. Farrar, Early Days Christianity, II 380
Steel yourself, then, firmly to withstand attacks from the cruel and unfeeling. 1796, F. Burney, Camilla, II iv vi 370
(figuratively, literary, poetic, transitive) To cause to resemble steel. ▸ To give (something) the appearance of steel.
And lo! those waters, steeled By breezeless air to smoothest polish, yield A vivid repetition of the stars. 1807, William Wordsworth, Sonn. to Liberty, II v:
(dialectal, transitive) To press with a flat iron.
Tha hasn't tha Sense to stile thy own Dressing. 1746, Exmoor Scolding, 3rd edition, II 14:
mi whakaniwha (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · mk челичи (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · cs sebrat odvahu (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · ca acerar (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · fr aciérer (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · sv stålsätta (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · cs připravit se (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · bg втвърдявам се (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.) · cs obrnit se (To harden or strengthen; to nerve or to fortify against, to brace oneself.)
(UK, obsolete, qualifier:crime, slang, transitive) Coldbath Fields Prison in London, closed in 1877.
This time I got two moon for assaulting the reelers when canon. For this I went to the Steel (Bastile^([sic]) — Coldbath Fields Prison), having a new suit of clobber on me and about fifty blow in my brigh (pocket). 1879, Macmillan's Magazine, volume 40, page 502:
I was lugged before the beak, who gave me six doss in the steel. [...] six months in the Bastille (the old House of Corrections), Coldbath Fields. 1862, Havelock Ellis, The Criminal, page 162:
He said he had been in the “steel” (Coldbath Fields Prison) eight times. 1866, George Augustus Sala, Edmund Hodgson Yates, Temple Bar, volume 16, page 507: