steel
1. steel \'ste-(*)l\ n [ME stele, fr. OE sty-le, ste-le; akin to OHG stahal] steel, Skt stakati he resists 1: commercial iron that contains carbon in any amount up to about 1.7 perce nt as an essential alloying constituent, is malleable when under suitable conditions, and is distinguished from cast iron by its malleability and lower carbon content 2: an instrument or implement of or characteristically of steel : as 2a: a thrusting or cutting weapon 2b: an instrument (as a fluted round rod with a handle) for sharpening kniv es 2c: a piece of steel for striking sparks from flint 2d: a strip of steel used for stiffening 3: a quality characteristic of steel 4a: the steel manufacturing industry pl 4b: shares of stock in steel companies 2. steel vt 1: to overlay, point, or edge with steel 2a: to cause to resemble steel 2b: to fill with resolution or determination 3. steel aj 1: made of steel 2: of or relating to the production of steel 3: resembling steel
Webster's English Dictionary