stew
stew
UK[stjuː]US[stuː]
v
to cook food slowly in a small amount of liquid in a closed container
n
a dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in a closed container
v
to be in a situation that is too hot, humid, or crowded, or to be worried or anxious
Etymology
the word 'stew' has a journey that begins with the concept of vapor and heat. it traces back to the greek 'týphos', meaning smoke or vapor, which evolved into vulgar latin 'extufāre', a verb for evaporating. this passed into old french as 'estuve', referring to a stove or a room for a steam bath. the culinary sense developed in middle english from the idea of cooking in a closed pot, where the food is surrounded by vapor and simmering liquid, metaphorically 'stewing' in its own juices. the modern figurative senses of being in a state of agitation or oppressive heat directly extend from this core image of being enclosed and heated.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it entered english from old french 'estuve' (a heated room, stove), which likely derived from vulgar latin 'extufāre', meaning 'to evaporate', itself from greek 'týphos' meaning 'smoke, vapor'.
Examples
she decided to stew the beef with carrots and onions for dinner.
he was left to stew in his own anxiety while waiting for the test results.
the crowded subway car was a stew of commuters on a hot summer day.