- warm
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I. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wearm; akin to Old High German warm warm and probably to Lithuanian virti to cook, boil
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. having or giving out heat to a moderate or adequate degree <warm weather> <a warm fire> b. serving to maintain or preserve heat especially to a satisfactory degree <a warm sweater> c. feeling or causing sensations of heat brought about by strenuous exertion 2. comfortably established ; secure 3. a. marked by strong feeling ; ardent b. marked by excitement, disagreement, or anger <the argument grew warm> 4. marked by or readily showing affection, gratitude, cordiality, or sympathy <a warm welcome> <warm regards> 5. emphasizing or exploiting sexual imagery or incidents 6. accompanied or marked by extreme danger or duress 7. newly made ; fresh <a warm scent> 8. having the color or tone of something that imparts heat; specifically of a hue in the range yellow through orange to red 9. near to a goal, object, or solution sought <not there yet but getting warm> • warmish adjective • warmness noun II. verb Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to make warm 2. a. to infuse with a feeling of love, friendship, well-being, or pleasure b. to fill with anger, zeal, or passion 3. to reheat (cooked food) for eating — often used with over 4. to make ready for operation or performance by preliminary exercise or operation — often used with up intransitive verb 1. to become warm 2. a. to become ardent, interested, or receptive — usually used with to or toward <warmed to the idea> b. to become filled with affection or love — used with to or toward 3. to experience feelings of pleasure ; bask 4. to become ready for operation or performance by preliminary activity — often used with up III. adverb Date: before 12th century warmly — usually used in combination <warm-clad>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
