steele

Noun

steel (countable and uncountable, plural steels)

1. An artificial metal produced from iron, harder and more elastic than elemental iron; used figuratively as a symbol of hardness.
   • Ocearium stæli.c. 725, Corpus Gloss., published 1431
2. Bladed or pointed weapons, as swords, javelins, daggers.
   • For heom ne may halter ne bridel Bringe from here wode wyse, Ne mon mid stele ne mid ire.c. 1250, The Owl & the Nightengale, published 1030

   Synonyms:

   cold weapon, white arm

3. A piece used for striking sparks from flint or ferrocerium.
   • Of ston mid stel in ðe tunder wel to brennen one ðis wunder.c. 1220, Bestiary, section 535

   Synonyms:

   firesteel, striker, firestriker

4. Armor.
   • Þai gun hem boþe armi In iren and stiel þat tide.c. 1330, Sir Tristrem, L 3324
5. A honing steel, a tool used to sharpen or hone metal blades.
   • The steill to scherp the schawing jrne.1541 in 1844, J. Stuart, Extracts of the Council Register of Aberdeen, I 176
6. Pieces used to strengthen, support, or expand an item of clothing.
   • I haue a ruffe is a quarter deep, measured by the yeard... You haue a pretty set too, how big is the steele you set with?1608, G. Markham et al., Dumbe Knight, section I

See all 32 meanings of steel