heat Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
    heat energy.
  2. noun the presence of heat
    high temperature; hotness.
  3. noun the sensation caused by heat energy
    warmth.
  4. noun the trait of being intensely emotional
    passion; warmth.
  5. noun applies to nonhuman mammals: a state or period of heightened sexual arousal and activity
    oestrus; estrus; rut.
  6. noun a preliminary race in which the winner advances to a more important race
  7. noun utility to warm a building
    heating system; heating plant; heating.
    • the heating system wasn't working
    • they have radiant heating
  8. verb make hot or hotter
    heat up.
    • the sun heats the oceans
    • heat the water on the stove
  9. verb provide with heat
    • heat the house
  10. verb arouse or excite feelings and passions
    ignite; stir up; inflame; wake; fire up.
    • The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor
    • The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world
    • Wake old feelings of hatred
  11. verb gain heat or get hot
    heat up; hot up.
    • The room heated up quickly

WordNet

Heat noun
Etymology
OE. hete, hæte, AS. htu, hto, fr. hat hot; akin to OHG. heizi heat, Dan. hede, Sw. hetta. See Hot.
Definitions
  1. A force in nature which is recognized in various effects, but especially in the phenomena of fusion and evaporation, and which, as manifested in fire, the sun's rays, mechanical action, chemical combination, etc., becomes directly known to us through the sense of feeling. In its nature heat is a mode if motion, being in general a form of molecular disturbance or vibration. It was formerly supposed to be a subtile, imponderable fluid, to which was given the name caloric. ✍ As affecting the human body, heat produces different sensations, which are called by different names, as heat or sensible heat, warmth, cold, etc., according to its degree or amount relatively to the normal temperature of the body.
  2. The sensation caused by the force or influence of heat when excessive, or above that which is normal to the human body; the bodily feeling experienced on exposure to fire, the sun's rays, etc.; the reverse of cold.
  3. High temperature, as distinguished from low temperature, or cold; as, the heat of summer and the cold of winter; heat of the skin or body in fever, etc.
    Else how had the world . . . Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat! Milton.
  4. Indication of high temperature; appearance, condition, or color of a body, as indicating its temperature; redness; high color; flush; degree of temperature to which something is heated, as indicated by appearance, condition, or otherwise.
    It has raised . . . heats in their faces. Addison.
    The heats smiths take of their iron are a blood-red heat, a white-flame heat, and a sparking or welding heat. Moxon.
  5. A single complete operation of heating, as at a forge or in a furnace; as, to make a horseshoe in a certain number of heats.
  6. A violent action unintermitted; a single effort; a single course in a race that consists of two or more courses; as, he won two heats out of three.
    Many causes . . . for refreshment betwixt the heats. Dryden.
    [He] struck off at one heat the matchless tale of "Tam o'Shanter." J. C. Shairp.
  7. Utmost violence; rage; vehemence; as, the heat of battle or party. "The heat of their division." Shak.
  8. Agitation of mind; inflammation or excitement; exasperation. "The head and hurry of his rage." South.
  9. Animation, as in discourse; ardor; fervency.
    With all the strength and heat of eloquence. Addison.
  10. Sexual excitement in animals.
  11. Fermentation.
Heat transitive verb
Etymology
OE. heten, AS. htan, fr. hat hot. See Hot.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Heated; present participle & verbal noun Heating
Definitions
  1. To make hot; to communicate heat to, or cause to grow warm; as, to heat an oven or furnace, an iron, or the like.
    Heat me these irons hot. Shak.
  2. To excite or make hot by action or emotion; to make feverish.
    Pray, walk softly; do not heat your blood. Shak.
  3. To excite ardor in; to rouse to action; to excite to excess; to inflame, as the passions.
    A noble emulation heats your breast. Dryden.
Heat intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To grow warm or not by the action of fire or friction, etc., or the communication of heat; as, the iron or the water heats slowy.
  2. To grow warm or hot by fermentation, or the development of heat by chemical action; as, green hay heats in a mow, and manure in the dunghill.
Heat
Etymology
imp. & p. p. of Heat.
Definitions
  1. Heated; as, the iron though heat red-hot. Obs. or Archaic. Shak.

Webster 1913