Meaning and Origin
What does the name Steel mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Steel
User Submitted Origins
English
90%
Indian (Sanskrit)
10%
User Submitted Meanings
- A submission from Rhode Island, U.S. says the name Steel means "Strong and unique".
- A user from Australia says the name Steel is of English origin and means "Hard working".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Steel
Senses
- [Metal] A variety of iron intermediate in composition and properties between wrought iron and cast iron (containing between one half of one per cent and one and a half per cent of carbon), and consisting of an alloy of iron with an iron carbide. Steel, unlike wrought iron, can be tempered, and retains magnetism. Its malleability decreases, and fusibility increases, with an increase in carbon.
- An instrument or implement made of steel
- A weapon, as a sword, dagger, etc.
"Brave Macbeth . . . with his brandished steel." [Shak.]
"While doubting thus he stood, Received the steel bathed in his brother's blood." [Dryden.] - An instrument of steel (usually a round rod) for sharpening knives.
- A piece of steel for striking sparks from flint.
- A weapon, as a sword, dagger, etc.
- Fig.: Anything of extreme hardness; that which is characterized by sternness or rigor."Heads of steel."Johnson."Manhood's heart of steel."Byron.
- [Med] A chalybeate medicine.
Note: ☞ Steel is often used in the formation of compounds, generally of obvious meaning; as, steel-clad, steel-girt, steel-hearted, steel-plated, steel-pointed, etc.
Etymology: AS. stēl stȳl stȳle; akin to D. staal, G. stahl, OHG. stahal, Icel. stāl, Dan. staal, Sw. stål, Old Prussian stakla
verb Steel
Senses
- To overlay, point, or edge with steel; as, to steel a razor; to steel an ax.
- (Fig.:)To make hard or strong; hence, to make insensible or obdurate."Lies well steeled with weighty arguments." [Shak.]"O God of battles! steel my soldiers' hearts." [Shak.]"Why will you fight against so sweet a passion, And steel your heart to such a world of charms?" [Addison.]
- (Fig.:)To cause to resemble steel, as in smoothness, polish, or other qualities."These waters, steeled By breezeless air to smoothest polish." [Wordsworth.]
- [Elec] To cover, as an electrotype plate, with a thin layer of iron by electrolysis. The iron thus deposited is very hard, like steel.
Etymology: AS. stȳlan: cf. Icel. stæla. See Steel (n.)
Other Dictionary Sources
- Knife sharpener consisting of a ridged steel rod
- A cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
- An alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
- Cover, plate, or edge with steel
- Get ready for something difficult or unpleasant
Wiktionary
- A surname.
Steel was also found in the following language(s): Hunsrik