vapor
UK: ˈveɪpə | US: ˈveɪpər
n. 1. A substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical point.
n. 2. A visible suspension of fine particles in the air (e.g., mist or steam).
v. 3. To emit or convert into vapor.
vapor = vap<steam> + or<noun suffix>
- vap (from Latin vapor meaning "steam, heat, exhalation")
- or (Latin noun suffix indicating state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word vapor traces back to Latin vapor, which referred to steam, heat, or exhalation. It entered Middle English via Old French vapour, retaining its core meaning of a gaseous substance. The Latin root vap- is also linked to verbs like vaporare ("to emit steam"), reflecting the word’s enduring association with evaporation and airborne particles. Over time, vapor expanded to include visible suspensions (e.g., mist) and later became a verb describing the process of turning into gas.
The morning fog was a thick vapor hovering over the lake.
Water vapor condenses into droplets on cold surfaces.
The chemist studied how liquids vapor at different temperatures.
His breath formed a vapor in the freezing air.
The machine uses heat to vaporize the solution.