steel

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
  2. noun a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
  3. noun knife sharpener consisting of a ridged steel rod

Etymology

From Middle English stele, stel, from Old English stīele, from Proto-West Germanic *stahlī (“something made of steel”), enlargement of *stahl (“steel”), from Proto-Germanic *stahlą, from *stah- or *stag- (“to be firm, rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European *stak- (“to stay, to be firm”). Compare Scots stele, Yola stehli, German Stahl, Dutch staal.

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