Definition of fume
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a smoke, vapor, or gas especially when irritating or offensive
engine exhaust fumes
b
: an often noxious suspension of particles in a gas (such as air)
2
: something (such 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
on fumes
: with little of the original strength or energy remaining
tired ballplayers running on fumes
fume
verb
fumed; fuming
Definition of fume (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to expose to or treat with fumes
2
: to give off in fumes
fuming thick black smoke
3
: to utter while in a state of excited irritation or anger
1a
: to emit fumes
b
: to be in a state of excited irritation or anger
fretted and fumed over the delay
2
: to rise in or as if in fumes
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for fume
The first known use of fume was in the 14th century
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