Main Entry: ¹fume

Pronunciation: \ˈfyüm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French fum, from Latin fumus; akin to Old High German toumen to be fragrant, Sanskrit dhūma smoke, Old Church Slavic dymŭ

Date: 14th century

1 a : a smoke, vapor, or gas especially when irritating or offensive <engine exhaust fumes> b : an often noxious suspension of particles in a gas (as air)
2 : something (as an emotion) that impairs one's reasoning <sometimes his head gets a little hot with the fumes of patriotism — Matthew Arnold>
3 : a state of excited irritation or anger —usually used in the phrase in a fume

— fumy \ˈfyü-mē\ adjective

— on fumes : with little of the original strength or energy remaining <tired ballplayers running on fumes>