steel
English meaning: Steel
Definition
An artificial metal produced from iron, harder and more elastic than elemental iron; used figuratively as a symbol of hardness.
Example
“The bridge is supported by massive steel girders.”
Another example: “She had to steel herself before walking into the interview.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A common noun for the iron-carbon alloy, central to construction and industry, and also used figuratively (and literarily) to suggest strength, hardness or coldness, as in 'nerves of steel'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'stiele/style', of Germanic origin, related to Old High German 'stahal', meaning the hardened metal.
Related Words
- girder
- stainless
- tubing
- welded
- cage
- truss
- alloys
- coaster
- alloy
- aluminum
Common Collocations
- stainless steel
- steel beam
- steel industry
- nerves of steel
- cold steel
- steel mill
Word Forms
steel (n); steel (v); steely (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B