STEAM (0. Eng. steam, vapour,

See also:

• SMOKE (from O. Eng. smeocan, to smoke, reek, cf. Dutch meek, Ger. Schmauch, probably allied to Gr. vol9caiv)

smoke, cf. Du. steam; the origin is unknown)  , water-vapour . Dry steam is steam free from mechanically mixed water particles; wet steam, on the other hand, contains water particles in suspension . Saturated steam is steam in contact with liquid water at a temperature which is the boiling point of the water and condensing point of the steam; superheated steam is steam out of contact with water heated above this temperature . For theoretical considerations see VAPORIZATION, and for the most important application see STEAM ENGINE; also WATER .