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heat definition

heat (hēt)

noun

  1. the quality of being hot; hotness: in physics, heat is considered a form of energy existing as the result of the random motion of molecules and is the form of energy that is transferred between bodies as a result of their temperature difference
    1. much hotness; great warmth stifling heat
    2. fever
  2. degree of hotness or warmth at low heat
  3. the perception of heat by the senses, resulting from contact with or nearness to something hot; sensation of hotness or warmth felt through the skin
  4. hot weather or climate
  5. the warming of a room, house, etc., as by a stove or furnace his rent includes heat
  6. a burning sensation produced by spices, mustard, etc.
  7. color or other appearance as an indication of hotness blue heat in metals
  8. strong feeling or emotion; excitement, ardor, anger, zeal, etc.
  9. the period or condition of excitement, intensity, stress, etc.; most violent or intense point or stage in the heat of battle
  10. a single effort, round, bout, or trial; esp., any of the preliminary rounds of a race, etc., the winners of which compete in the final round
    1. sexual excitement
    2. the period of sexual excitement in animals; esp., the estrus of females
  11. Slang
    1. coercion, as by intimidation
    2. great pressure, as in criminal investigation or law enforcement
    3. the police
    4. a pistol
  12. Baseball, Slang pitches thrown with great velocity
  13. Metallurgy
    1. a single heating of metal, ore, etc. in a furnace or forge
    2. the amount processed in a single heating

Etymology: ME hete < OE hætu < base of hat (see hot), akin to Ger heiss < IE base *kai-, heat

transitive verb, intransitive verb

  1. to make or become warm or hot
  2. to make or become excited; inflame or become inflamed

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments (1) Add Your Comment

The state of change from being one tempature to another that has a certain degree of warmth; heat.

Posted by anonymous 46 days ago.

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