from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Steel \Steel\ (st[=e]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Steeled}
(st[=e]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Steeling}.] [AS. st[=y]lan: cf.
Icel. staela. See {Steel}, n.]
1. To overlay, point, or edge with steel; as, to steel a
razor; to steel an ax.
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2. Fig.: To make hard or strong; hence, to make insensible or
obdurate.
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Lies well steeled with weighty arguments. --Shak.
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O God of battles! steel my soldiers' hearts. --Shak.
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Why will you fight against so sweet a passion,
And steel your heart to such a world of charms?
--Addison.
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3. Fig.: To cause to resemble steel, as in smoothness,
polish, or other qualities.
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These waters, steeled
By breezeless air to smoothest polish. --Wordsworth.
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4. (Elec.) To cover, as an electrotype plate, with a thin
layer of iron by electrolysis. The iron thus deposited is
very hard, like steel.
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