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eam compass, an instrument consisting of a rod or beam, having sliding sockets that carry steel or pencil points; -- used for drawing or describing large circles. -- Beam engine, a steam engine having a working beam to transmit power, in distinction from one which has its piston rod attached directly to the crank of t…

; the behavior of the magnetic needle. A gentleman that is very singular in his behavior. Steele. To be upon one's good behavior, To be put upon one's good behavior, to be in a state of trial, in which something important depends on propriety of conduct. -- During good behavior, while (or so long as) one conducts one'…

t was a relief to dismiss them [Sir Roger's servants] into little beings within my manor. Steele.

,n.A kind of neckcloth. [Obs.] A treatise against the cravat and berdash. Steele.

A double sulphide of antimony and iron, of a dark steel-gray color.

To make or become big; to enlarge. [Obs. or Dial.] Steele.

A rule steelyard. [Scot.]

the film or skin, as on plants; or by the swelling of the substance at the surface, as on steel.

A large bar of steel formed directly from an ingot by hammering or rolling, being a preliminary shape for further working.

A large and troublesome species of blowfly (Musca vomitoria). Its body is steel blue.

The act of rendering blue; as, the bluing of steel. Tomlinson.

An implement of steel, bone, ivory, etc., with a sharp point, for making holes by piercing; a

Whalebone; hence, a piece of whalebone or of steel for a corset.

A mineral of a steel-gray to black color and metallic luster, occurring crystallized, often in twin crystals shaped like cogwheels (wheel ore), also massive. It is a sulphide of antimony, lead, and copper.

imb, esp. the arm. [Obs.] His rawbone arms, whose mighty brawned bowers Were wont to rive steel plates and helmets hew. Spenser. Best bower, Small bower. See the Note under Anchor.

A certain process for producing upon articles of iron or steel an adherent coating of the magnetic oxide of iron (which is not liable to corrosion by air, moisture, or ordinary acids). This is accomplished by producing, by oxidation at about 1600º F. in a closed space, a coating containing more or less of the ferric ox…

A strong iron or steel plug screwed into the breech of a musket or other firearm, to close the bottom of the bore.

Brittle; easily broken. [Obs. or Prov.] Spenser. As stubborn steel excels the brickle glass. Turbervile.

A tool of steel, generally tapering, and of a polygonal form, with from four to eight cutting edges, for smoothing or enlarging holes in metal; sometimes made smooth or without edges, as for burnishing pivot holes in watches; a reamer. The broach for gun barrels is commonly square and without taper.…

Embroidery. [Obs.] Of goldsmithrye, of browdying, and of steel. Chaucer.