fume

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fume / fyoōm/ • n. (usu. fumes) gas, smoke, or vapor that smells strongly or is dangerous to inhale: clouds of exhaust fumes spewed by cars. ∎  a pungent odor of a particular thing or substance: he breathed fumes of wine into her face. ∎ poetic/lit. a watery vapor, steam, or mist rising from the earth or sea.• v. [intr.] 1. emit gas, smoke, or vapor: fragments of lava hit the ground, fuming and sizzling. ∎  [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (fumed) expose (esp. wood) to ammonia fumes in order to produce dark tints: the fumed oak sideboard.2. feel, show, or express great anger: he is fuming over the interference in his work.DERIVATIVES: fum·ing·ly / ˈfyoōming/ adv.fum·y / ˈfyoōmē/ adj.

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