Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VA'POR, n. [L. and Sp. vapor; Fr. vapeur; It. vapore. It is probably from a verb signifying to depart, to fly off.]

1. In a general sense, an invisible elastic fluid, rendered aeriform by heat, and capable of being condensed, or brought back to the liquid or solid state, by cold. The vapor of water is distinguished by the name of steam, – which see.
2. A visible fluid floating in the atmosphere. All substances which impair the transparency of the atmosphere, as smoke, fog, &c., are in common language called vapors, though the term vapor is technically applied only to an invisible and condensible substance, as in No. 1; fog, &c. being vapor condensed, or water in a minute state of division. Vapor rising into the higher regions of the atmosphere, and condensed in large volumes, forms clouds. – D. Olmsted.
3. Substances resembling smoke, which sometimes fill the atmosphere, particularly in America during the autumn.
4. Wind; flatulence. – Bacon.
5. Mental fume; vain imagination; unreal fancy. – Hammond.
6. Vapors, a disease of nervous debility, in which a variety of strange images float in the brain, or appear as if visible. Hence hypochondriacal affections and spleen are called vapors.
7. Something unsubstantial, fleeting, or transitory. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James iv.

VA'POR, v.i. [L. vaporo.]

1. To pass off in fumes or a moist floating substance; to steam; to be exhaled; to evaporate. [In this sense, evaporate is generally used.]
2. To emit fumes. Running water vapors not so much as standing water. [Little used.] – Bacon.
3. To bully; to boast or vaunt with a vain, ostentatious display of worth; to brag. [This is the most usual signification of the word.] And what in real value's wanting, / Supply with vaporing and ranting. – Hudibras.

VA'POR, v.t.

To emit, cast off, or scatter in fumes or steam; as, to vapor away a heated fluid. Another sighing vapors forth his soul. – B. Jonson.

VAP-OR-A-BIL'I-TY, n.

The quality of being capable of vaporization. – Dispensatory.

VAP'OR-A-BLE, a.

Capable of being converted into vapor by the agency of caloric.

VAP'OR-ATE, v.i.

To emit vapor. [See Evaporate.]

VAP-OR-A'TION, n. [L. vaporatio.]

The set or process of converting into vapor, or of passing off in vapor.

VA'POR-BATH, n. [vapor and bath.]

1. The application of vapor to the body in a close place.
2. In chimistry, an apparatus for heating bodies by the vapor of water . – Cyc.

VA'POR-ED, a.

1. Moist; wet with vapors.
2. Splenetic; peevish . – Green.

VA'POR-ER, n.

A boaster; one who makes a vaunting display of his prowess or worth; a braggart.

VA-POR-IF'IC, a. [L. vapor and facio, to make.]

Forming into vapor; converting into steam, or expelling in a volatile form, as fluids.

VA'POR-ING, ppr.

Boasting; vaunting ostentatiously and vainly.

VA'POR-ING-LY, adv.

In a boasting manner.

VA'POR-ISH, a.

1. Full of vapors.
2. Hypochondriac; splenetic; affected by hysterics.

VAP-OR-I-ZA'TION, n.

The artificial formation of vapor.

VAP'OR-IZE, v.i.

To pass off in vapor.

VAP'OR-IZE, v.t.

To convert into vapor by the application of heat or artificial means.

VAP'OR-IZ-ED, pp.

Expelled in vapor.

VAP'OR-IZ-ING, ppr.

Converting into vapor.

VA'POR-OUS, a. [Fr. vaporeux.]

1. Full of vapors or exhalations; as, the vaporous air of valleys. – Derham.
2. Vain; unreal; proceeding from the vapors. – Bacon.
3. Windy; flatulent; as, vaporous food is the most easily digested. – Arbuthnot.

VA'POR-OUS-NESS, n.

State of being full of vapors.

VA'POR-Y, a.

1. Vaporous; full of vapors. – Thomson.
2. Hypochondriac; splenetic; peevish. – Thomson.

VAP-U-LA'TION, n. [L. vapulo.]

The act of beating or whipping. [Not in use.]

VARE, n. [Sp. vara.]

A wand or staff of justice. [Not in use.] – Howell.

VAR'EC, n.

The French name for kelp or incinerated seaweed; wrack; Fucus vesiculosus . – Ure.