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stew

noun (1)
\ ˈstü, ˈstyü\

Definition of stew

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 obsolete : a utensil used for boiling
2 : a hot bath
3a : whorehouse
b : a district of bordellos —usually used in plural
4a : fish or meat usually with vegetables prepared by stewing
b(1) : a heterogeneous mixture
(2) : a state of heat and congestion
5 : a state of excitement, worry, or confusion

stew

verb
stewed; stewing; stews

Definition of stew (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to boil slowly or with simmering heat

intransitive verb

1 : to become cooked by stewing
2 : to swelter especially from confinement in a hot or stuffy atmosphere
3 : to be in a state of suppressed agitation, worry, or resentment

stew

noun (2)

Definition of stew (Entry 3 of 3)

: flight attendant
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Synonyms for stew

Synonyms: Verb

boil, coddle, parboil, poach, simmer

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Examples of stew in a Sentence

Verb

 The meat still needs to stew. a can of stewed tomatoes She's been stewing over what he said for days.
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First Known Use of stew

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1970, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for stew

Noun (1)

Middle English stewe heated room for a steam bath, from Anglo-French estuve, from Vulgar Latin *extufa — more at stove

Noun (2)

short for stewardess

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Statistics for stew

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Time Traveler for stew

The first known use of stew was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for stew

stew

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stew

: to cook (something) slowly in hot liquid

: to be upset or worried

See the full definition for stew in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stew

noun
\ ˈstü, ˈstyü\

Kids Definition of stew

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a dish of usually meat with vegetables prepared by slow boiling
2 : a state of excitement, worry, or confusion He got in a stew over nothing.

stew

verb
stewed; stewing

Kids Definition of stew (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to boil slowly : simmer stew tomatoes
2 : to become excited or worried Don't stew over what they said.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stew

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with stew

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stew

Spanish Central: Translation of stew

Nglish: Translation of stew for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stew for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stew

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