Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Stew
1.
A small pond or pool where fish are kept for the table; a vivarium.
[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Chaucer. Evelyn.
2.
An artificial bed of oysters.
[Local, U.S.]
Stew
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Stewed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Stewing
.] [OE.
stuven
, OF. estuver
, F. étuver
, fr. OF. estuve
, F. étuve
, a sweating house, a room heated for a bath; probably of Teutonic origin, and akin to E. stove
. See Stove
, and cf. Stive
to stew.] To boil slowly, or with the simmering or moderate heat; to seethe; to cook in a little liquid, over a gentle fire, without boiling;
as, to
. stew
meat; to stew
oysters; to stew
applesStew
,Verb.
I.
To be seethed or cooked in a slow, gentle manner, or in heat and moisture.
1.
A place of stewing or seething; a place where hot bathes are furnished; a hothouse.
[Obs.]
As burning Aetna from his boiling
Doth belch out flames.
stew
Doth belch out flames.
Spenser.
The Lydians were inhibited by Cyrus to use any armor, and give themselves to baths and
stews
. Abp. Abbot.
2.
A brothel; – usually in the plural.
Bacon. South.
There be that hate harlots, and never were at the
stews
. Aschman.
3.
A prostitute.
[Obs.]
Sir A. Weldon.
4.
A dish prepared by stewing;
as, a
. stew
of pigeons5.
A state of agitating excitement; a state of worry; confusion;
as, to be in a
. stew
[Colloq.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Stew
STEW
,Verb.
T.
1.
To seethe or gently boil; to boil slowly in a moderate manner, or with a simmering heat; as, to stew meat; to stew applies; to stew prunes.2.
To boil in heat.STEW
,Verb.
I.
STEW
,Noun.
1.
A hot house; a bagnio.The Lydians were inhibited by Cyrus to use any armor, and give themselves to baths and stews.
2.
A brothel; a house of prostitution; but generally or always used int he plural, stews.3.
A prostitute. [Not in use.]4.
[See Stow.] A store pond; a small pond where fish are kept for the table. [Not used.]5.
Meat stewed; as a stew of pigeons.6.
Confusion, as when the air is full of dust. [Not in use or local.]