vapour-bath
Also vapour bath.
1. A bath consisting of vapour. (Cf. vaporous a. 1.) Also, an apartment in which a bath of this kind is used.
| 1719 Quincy Phys. Dict. (1722) 8 æstuary, a kind of Vapour-Bath. 1766 Smollett Trav. xxxii. II. 135 They likewise indulged in vapour-baths, in order to enjoy a pleasing relaxation. 1802 Med. Jrnl. VIII. 57 A machine for conveying a vapour bath to diseased limbs. 1843 Sir C. Scudamore Med. Visit Gräfenberg 12 Some persons argue that the vapor bath is quite as useful as the blanket. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 579 Vapour baths help not only to remove the scales [etc.]. |
b. transf. A thing or place comparable to a bath of this kind.
| 1800 Med. Jrnl. IV. 46 This kind of internal and highly inflammable vapour-bath is ever ready to catch fire. 1838 P. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 148 The last Drawing Room of the season; so of course an awful crowd and a vapour bath. 1864 Trevelyan Compet. Wallah 152 One day in August, when all Chowringhee is a vast vapour-bath. |
2. Chem. A vessel or receptacle in which hot vapour is generated in order to heat or melt a substance.
| 1728 Chambers Cycl., Vaporosum Balneum, or Vapour⁓bath, in Chymistry, a Term applied to a Chymist's Bath, or Heat, wherein the Body is placed so as to receive the Fumes of boiling Water. 1844 G. Bird Urin. Deposits (1857) 18 Evaporate an ounce..over a spirit-lamp without the interposition of the vapour-bath. 1891 Science-Gossip XXVII. 95, I have..used gelatine.., melting it like glue in a vapour bath. |
Hence vapour-bathing.
| 1766 J. Symons (title), Observations on Vapor-Bathing. |