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steel

Steel is a kind of metal alloy that's made of iron and carbon. It's known for being incredibly strong and is often used to build the framework of skyscrapers. It's also helpful to have "nerves of steel."

Steel isn't just a kind of metal. A steel can also be the long, rough thing you sharpen knives on. Or if you're one of the Three Musketeers, you probably carry a steel, or a sword. People who are really brave have nerves of steel. And if you want to use steel as a verb, go right ahead: if there's something hard or unpleasant ahead, you'll need to steel yourself to get ready for it.

DEFINITIONS OF: steel

n an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

Types:: show 26 types...; hide 26 types...; alloy steel
steel who characteristics are determined by the addition of other elements in addition to carbon; austenitic steel
steel that has enough nickel and chromium or manganese to retain austenite at atmospheric temperatures; case-hardened steel
steel with a surface that is much harder than the interior metal; carbon steel
steel whose characteristics are determined by the amount of carbon it contains; crucible steel
steel made by the mixture of molten wrought iron, charcoal, and other substances in a crucible; Damascus steel, Damask steel
a hard resilient steel often decorated and used for sword blades; chisel steel
steel used in making chisels; hard steel
steel with more than 0.3% carbon; medium steel
steel with 0.15-0.3% carbon; low-carbon steel, mild steel, soft-cast steel
steel with less than 0.15% carbon; quenched steel
steel that has been hardened by immersing it in water or oil to cool it; structural steel
a strong steel that is rolled into shapes that are used in construction; chromium steel, stainless, stainless steel
steel containing chromium that makes it resistant to corrosion; Elinvar, chrome-nickel steel
Elinvar is a trademark for a kind of steel used for watch springs because its elasticity is constant over a wide range of temperatures; chrome-tungsten steel
a steel alloy made with chromium and tungsten; drill rod, drill steel
carbon steel used for rock drills and dowels; eutectoid steel
a steel that contains 0.9% carbon (the eutectic point); a carbon steel with 0.9% carbon is pure pearlite; hyper-eutectoid steel
a steel that contains more than 0.9% carbon; hypo-eutectoid steel
a steel that contains less that 0.9% carbon; austenitic manganese steel, manganese steel
a steel with a relatively large component (10-14%) of manganese; highly resistant to wear and shock; molybdenum steel
steel containing 10-15% molybdenum; properties are similar to tungsten steel; nickel steel
an alloy steel containing nickel; oil-hardened steel
steel that is quenched in oil; tool steel
alloy steel that is suitable for making tools; is hard and tough and can retain a cutting edge; tungsten steel, wolfram steel
a very hard heat-resistant steel containing tungsten; vanadium steel
steel alloyed with vanadium for greater strength and high-temperature stability

Type of:: alloy, metal
a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten

n a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

Synonyms:: blade, brand, sword

Examples:: Excalibur
the legendary sword of King Arthur

Types:: show 12 types...; hide 12 types...; backsword
a sword with only one cutting edge; broadsword
a sword with a broad blade and (usually) two cutting edges; used to cut rather than stab; cavalry sword, saber, sabre
a stout sword with a curved blade and thick back; cutlas, cutlass
a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors; falchion
a short broad slightly convex medieval sword with a sharp point; fencing sword
a sword used in the sport of fencing; rapier, tuck
a straight sword with a narrow blade and two edges; claymore
a large double-edged broadsword; formerly used by Scottish Highlanders; epee
a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade; foil
a light slender flexible sword tipped by a button; saber, sabre
a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle; scimitar
a curved oriental saber; the edge is on the convex side of the blade

Type of:: arm, weapon, weapon system
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

n knife sharpener consisting of a ridged steel rod

Type of:: sharpener
any implement that is used to make something (an edge or a point) sharper

v cover, plate, or edge with steel

Type of:: cover
provide with a covering or cause to be covered

v get ready for something difficult or unpleasant

Synonyms:: nerve

Type of:: brace, poise
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

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