2 VERB If you steal someone else's ideas, you pretend that they are your own. □ [V n] A writer is suing the director for allegedly stealing his film idea.
3 VERB If someone steals somewhere, they move there quietly, in a secret way. [LITERARY ] □ [V adv/prep] They can steal away at night and join us. □ [V adv/prep] Leroy stole up the hall to the parlor.
4 to steal a glance → see glance
5 to steal a march on someone → see march
6 to steal the show → see show
7 to steal someone's thunder → see thunder
stealth /ste lθ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft by N ] If you use stealth when you do something, you do it quietly and carefully so that no one will notice what you are doing. □ Health policy is being changed by stealth without consultation.
stea lth tax (stealth taxes ) N‑COUNT Journalists sometimes refer to indirect taxes as stealth taxes . [DISAPPROVAL , BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ It's good that he used direct taxation rather than stealth taxes to raise the money.
stealthy /ste lθi/ (stealthier , stealthiest ) ADJ Stealthy actions or movements are performed quietly and carefully, so that no one will notice what you are doing. □ I would creep in and with stealthy footsteps explore the second-floor. ● stealthi|ly /ste lθ I li/ ADV [ADV with v] □ Slowly and stealthily, someone was creeping up the stairs.
steam ◆◇◇ /stiː m/ (steams , steaming , steamed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Steam is the hot mist that forms when water boils. Steam vehicles and machines are operated using steam as a means of power. □ In an electric power plant the heat converts water into high-pressure steam. □ …the invention of the steam engine.
2 VERB If something steams , it gives off steam. □ [V ] …restaurants where coffee pots steamed on their burners. □ [V -ing] …a basket of steaming bread rolls.
3 VERB If you steam food or if it steams , you cook it in steam rather than in water. □ [V n] Steam the carrots until they are just beginning to be tender. □ [V ] Leave the vegetables to steam over the rice for the 20 minutes cooking time. □ [V -ed] …steamed clams and broiled chicken.
4 PHRASE If something such as a plan or a project goes full steam ahead , it progresses quickly. □ The Government is going full steam ahead with its privatisation programme.
5 PHRASE If you let off steam , you get rid of your energy, anger, or strong emotions with physical activity or by behaving in a noisy or violent way. [INFORMAL ] □ Exercise is a good way of relaxing or letting off steam.
6 PHRASE If you run out of steam , you stop doing something because you have no more energy or enthusiasm left. [INFORMAL ] □ I decided to paint the bathroom ceiling but ran out of steam halfway through.
▸ steam ahead PHRASAL VERB If an economy or company steams ahead , it becomes stronger and more successful. □ [V P ] The latest figures show industrial production steaming ahead at an 8.8 per cent annual rate.
▸ steam up
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone gets steamed up about something, they are very annoyed about it. □ [get V -ed P + about ] The general manager may have got steamed up about nothing.
2 PHRASAL VERB When a window, mirror, or pair of glasses steams up , it becomes covered with steam or mist. □ [V P ] …the irritation of living with lenses that steam up when you come in from the cold.
steam|boat /stiː mboʊt/ (steamboats ) N‑COUNT A steamboat is a boat or ship that has an engine powered by steam.
steam|er /stiː mə r / (steamers )
1 N‑COUNT A steamer is a ship that has an engine powered by steam.
2 N‑COUNT A steamer is a special container used for steaming food such as vegetables and fish.
stea m iron (steam irons ) N‑COUNT A steam iron is an electric iron that produces steam from water that you put into it. The steam makes it easier to get the creases out of your clothes.
steam|roller /stiː mroʊlə r / (steamrollers , steamrollering , steamrollered )
1 N‑COUNT A steamroller is a large, heavy vehicle with wide, solid metal wheels, which is used to make the surface of a road flat. In the past steamrollers were powered by steam.
2 VERB If you steamroller someone who disagrees with you or opposes you, you defeat them or you force them to do what you want by using your power or by putting a lot of pressure on them. □ [V n] They could simply steamroller all opposition.
steam|ship /stiː mʃ I p/ (steamships ) N‑COUNT A steamship is a ship that has an engine powered by steam.
steamy /stiː mi/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Steamy means involving exciting sex. [INFORMAL ] □ He'd had a steamy affair with an office colleague.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A steamy place has hot, wet air. □ …a steamy cafe.
steed /stiː d/ (steeds ) N‑COUNT A steed is a large strong horse used for riding. [LITERARY ]
steel ◆◇◇ /stiː l/ (steels , steeling , steeled )
1 N‑VAR [oft N n] Steel is a very strong metal which is made mainly from iron. Steel is used for making many things, for example bridges, buildings, vehicles, and cutlery. □ …steel pipes. □ …the iron and steel industry. □ The front wall is made of corrugated steel.