▪ I. warm, n.1 Somewhat colloq.
(wɔːm)
[f. warm v.]
An act of warming or state of becoming warm. Phr. to give, get, have, take a warm.
In the first quot. warmes is a mistake for walmes: see walm n.1 3 c.
| [1655 Walton Angler (ed. 2) x. 239 Boil it [sc. the malt] in the kettle (one or two warmes is enough).] 1768 Ross Helenore 70 This morning's raw, gin ye've a' night been out, That ye wad thole a warm, I mak na doubt. 1800 in Spirit Publ. Jrnls. IV. 6 The dark and dreary night, the dreadful storm Drove me unwillingly to get a warm. 1838 Dickens O. Twist i, The surgeon had been sitting with his face turned towards the fire, giving the palms of his hands a warm and a rub alternately. 1843 ― Christmas Carol iii, Sit ye down before the fire, my dear, and have a warm. 1861 ― Gt. Expect. ii, When I..was taking a final warm in the chimney-corner before being sent up to bed. 1861 F. Nightingale Nursing 55 If, after washing a patient, you must put the same night-dress on him again, always give it a warm first, at the fire. 1891 C. Roberts Adrift Amer. 120, I made a fire, and..had a good warm. |
▪ II. warm, a. (and n.2)
(wɔːm)
Forms: 1 wearm, 2 wærm, 3 Orm. warrm, 3–7 warme, 3– warm.
[Com. Teut.: OE. wearm = OFris. warm (mod.WFris. waerm, NFris. wārəm), MDu., Du. warm, OS. warm (MLG. war(e)m, LG. warm), OHG. war(a)m (MHG., G. warm), ON. varmr (Norw., Sw., Da. varm), Goth. warm- in warmjan to warm, cherish:—OTeut. *warmo-, also *werm- (in ON. verme wk. masc. warmth, OHG. wirma, MHG. wirm(e) fem. warmth).
The further relationship of this word is somewhat doubtful. In spite of certain difficulties it is probably to be identified with Indogermanic *g{supw}hormo-, or *g{supw}hermo- found in Skr. gharmá heat, Zend garəma- hot, Gk. θερµός hot, L. formus warm, OPrussian gorme heat, Albanian zjarm heat, Armenian yerm warm, derivatives of *g{supw}her- with a radical sense of heat. For another possible example of initial w in Teut. from *g{supw}h or *ghw see wild a. Compare also the similar phonetic phenomena in Latin whereby older g{supw} gave g before ū̆ and consonants, v before other vowels (e.g. gurgēs, vorāre).
Some scholars have referred the word to a root *wer- found in Lith. vìrti to cook (trans.), OSl. vrĕti to boil, cook (intr.), variti to cook (trans.), varŭ hot. The primary sense of this root, however, seems to be rather ‘to well up, bubble’ than ‘to be hot’; cf. Lith. versm{edotabtilde} a spring. The root is confined to the Balto-Slav. langs., and in them has no derivative corresponding in sense and suffix to the Teut. adj., which on the other view represents a widespread Indogermanic formation.]
A. adj.
1. Having a fairly high temperature; affording or giving out a considerable degree of heat (less than that indicated by hot). a. of natural agencies and things, as the weather, air, climate, soil.
out of God's (Christ's) blessing into the warm sun: see god n. 5 c.
| c 888 ælfred Boeth. xxxiii. §5 Sie lyft..is æᵹþer ᵹe ceald ᵹe wæt ᵹe wearm. a 1000 Boeth. Metr. xi. 61 Sumor æfter cymeð, wearm ᵹewideru. a 1250 Owl & Night. 622 Þar inne ic habbe god ihold A wintre warm a sumere cold. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xviii. 410 Is no weder warmer þan after watery cloudes. c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 219 In spryngyne of the mone is best to sowe, In dayis warm. 1540 Palsgr. Acolastus ii. i. H iij, To leappe out of the halle, into the kytchyn, or out of Chrystis blessynge in to a warme sonne. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 58 [Rain falls] sum tyme in soft & varme schouris. 1577 B. Googe tr. Heresbach's Husb. i. 34 Pease..must be sowen in warme groundes. 1727 E. Laurence Duty of Steward 75 On a warm soil well shelter'd with Trees and Hills. 1750 Gray Elegy 87 The warm precincts of the chearful day. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. VI. 347 The prisoners of congelation..waiting the approach of a warmer sun, to restore them at once to life and liberty. 1833 Arnott Physics (1853) 35 England is much warmer in winter than central Germany, which lies south of England. 1854 Poultry Chron. I. 249 We..stand much in need of warm weather, and especially, warm nights for the young poultry. 1915 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 467 A warm south wind was melting the fall [of snow]. |
b. of other things, typically with reference to artificial heating.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 914 His swerd sche tok a-swythe That warm was of hire louys blod & hot. 1577 B. Googe tr. Heresbach's Husb. iii. 119 b, In winter, your stable should rather be warme, then hot. 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iii. i. 6 Whil'st yet with Parthian blood thy Sword is warme. 1697 Dryden æneis xi. 323 They rake the yet warm Ashes, from below. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 11 Mar. 1651, They..carried him before a warme fire to bring him to himselfe. 1741 M. Grindal (title) Warm Beer, a Treatise proving..that Beer so qualify'd, is far more wholesome than that which is drank Cold... With a full Confutation of all the Objections..against Drink being used Warm. 1764 Whytt Observ. Nervous Disorders (1767) 434 The warm bath affects the nerves with an agreeable sensation, removes spasms in the small vessels, [etc.]. 1848 Dickens Dombey v, Promise me to take a little something warm before you go to bed. 1849 James Woodman vii, Our houses are more warm and air-tight than those of that day. 1871 A. Meadows Midwifery (ed. 2) 339 Warm poultices should also be kept over the abdomen. |
c. fig. to keep a seat or place warm: to occupy it temporarily for another who is not yet qualified to hold it. (Cf. warming-pan 3 c.)
| 1845 Jerrold St. Giles vi. (1851) 55 Of course, the borough will be kept warm for the young gentleman... He may count upon my vote. 1853 Mrs. Gaskell Ruth xxi, Before the Cranworths had determined who should keep the seat warm till the eldest son came of age. |
2. a. Of the body, the blood, etc.: Having the degree of heat natural to the living organism.
| a 1000 Riddles v. 7 Wearm lim ᵹebundenne beaᵹ bersteð hwilum. c 1200 Ormin 10146 Forrþi þatt itt [the tunic] iss neh þe lich & haldeþþ warrm þe mare. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 36 Þe blode was boþe warme & fresh, þat of þe schankes lete. c 1386 Chaucer Sompn. T. 119 Though I him wrye a-nyght and make hym warm. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 148 Thou art wyse inough, if thou keepe thee warme. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iii. ii. 9 A fur'd gowne to keepe him warme. 1693 Dryden Persius vi. 13 For me, my warmer Constitution wants More cold, than our Ligurian Winter grants. 1697 ― æneis ii. 867 Go you, whose Blood runs warm in ev'ry Vein. 1754 Gray Progr. Poesy 40 O'er her warm cheek, and rising bosom. 1855 Poultry Chron. III. 398 New milk, warm from the cow. 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 21 At the least warm touch of hand. 1919 Blackw. Mag. Nov. 644/2, I found the carcase of a hartebeeste still warm. |
| fig. 1737 Pope Hor. Ep. ii. i. 147 Then Marble, soften'd into life, grew warm. |
b. Of persons: Glowing with exertion or exercise, with eating and drinking, etc.; often with mixture of one of the senses 10–12. Of exercise: Strenuous enough to raise one's temperature.
| 1606 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. iv. v. 118, I am not warme yet, let vs fight againe. 1665 Dryden Ind. Emp. iii. i, And Fighting gains us but to dye more warm. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Art of Poetry 322 A lawless Croud, with Wine and Feasting warm. 1753 J. Collier Art Torment. i. ii. 61 For although it is noble sport to have a girl of sense to work upon, yet 'tis warm exercise. 1769 Ann. Reg. 25 There is nothing that an army will not attempt or endure for a general who keeps the soldiers warm in continual action. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. xc. 9 'Twas well, indeed, when warm with wine, To pledge them with a kindly tear. 1900 Pall Mall Mag. May 43, I was warm from my company, and was propelled by an abundant flow of vitality. |
c. Applied to tears.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xv. 187 And with warme water at his eyghen wasshen hem after. 1483 Caxton Golden Leg. 196/1 Thenne she..prayed god wyth warme teerys to helpe hyr. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. iii. i. 20 In Winter with warme teares Ile melt the snow. 1648 Bp. Hall Sel. Th. lxxvi. 221 But if..we shall suffer our selves to be drawn away into some heinous wickedness, it must cost warm water to recover us. |
d. Of a kiss, embrace (combining the literal idea of bodily warmth with that of affection).
| 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. v. iii. 153 Oh take this warme kisse on thy pale cold lips. a 1764 R. Lloyd Whim 45 Give me the man..Who..Can meet him with a warm embrace. 1822 M. A. Kelty Osmond I. 29 Imprinting on it another fond warm kiss. 1866 Trollope Claverings iv, With the kiss of the dear, modest, affectionate girl still warm upon his lips. |
e. = warm-blooded. rare.
| 1793 T. Beddoes Calculus etc. 242 The ordinary temperature of the blood of warm animals. |
3. Of clothing, or the natural integument of animals: Made of material which retains heat in the body.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 418 Þet heo [i.e. your clothes] beon unorne & warme & wel i-wrouhte. a 1300 Cursor M. 23090 (Edinb.) Of nakidhed quen I drow harme, Ye gaf me cleþing þat was warme. a 1450 Mirk's Festial 39/36 Hit wer almes forto ȝeue ȝondyr pore man warmer cloþes þen he haþe. 1535 Coverdale Job xxxvii. 17 And how thy clothes are warme, when the londe is still thorow the south wynde? 1653 in Verney Mem. (1904) I. 547 Here is now some cold snowie weather approaching, which incites mee to putt on warmer cloths. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) V. 39 These are generally cloathed with a warmer coat of feathers. 1849 James Woodman xi, Would that I had brought warmer garments. 1917 H. Gibson Diplom. Diary 259 Mrs. Whitlock..is busy getting warm clothing for the poor. |
4. Of a drug or edible: Producing a sensation of heat in the body.
| 1737 J. Stevenson in Med. Ess. IV. 387 Common Practice bids us..give warm, generous Medicines, Alexipharmicks, and all of that Tribe that heats, stimulates and forces Sweat. 1822–7 Good Study Med. (1829) I. 251 A pretty free dose of turpentine, or some of the warmer balsams. 1842 Loudon Suburban Hort. 689 Its seed-pods..make a warm aromatic pickle. |
5. Of a scent or trail: Fresh, strong.
| 1713 Gay Rural Sports ii. 68 The scent grows warm; he stops; he springs the prey. 1832 P. Egan's Bk. Sports 211/2 As the scent grew warmer, the certainty of finding was confirmed. |
6. Of the person chosen to seek or guess, in children's games: Being near the object sought; being on the verge of finding or guessing. Also fig.
| 1860 All Year Round 4 Feb. 339/2 Here I get ‘warm’, as children say. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. iii. vi, He's warm... He's precious warm. He's close. 1893 Nation (N.Y.) 24 Aug. 139/3 Showing how the author was ‘warm’, and passed without seeing it very near to the object of his search. |
† 7. Comfortable, comfortably settled (in a seat, throne, office); securely established in (possession of). Also, with converse construction, to feel the crown warm upon one's head. Obs.
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iii. 1630 Be not to rakel þough þou sitte warme. c 1430 How Wise Man taught Son 114 in Babees Bk. 51 If þou be weel at eese, And warme amonge þi neiȝboris sitte. 1601 Imp. Consid. Sec. Priests (1675) 55 Her Highness had scarcely felt the Crown warm upon her head, but it was challenged from her. 1610 B. Jonson Alchemist ii. vi, A Gentleman, newly warme in his land. 1614 Ralegh Hist. World ii. xvii. §4. 481 The Philistims hearing that Dauid was now anointed king..thought to try him in the beginning, before hee was fully warme in his seat. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. xlvii. (1739) 78 The conquering King was scarce warm in his Throne, whenas the Pope demanded Fealty of him for the Crown of England. a 1670 Wood Life (O.H.S.) I. 129 A. W. seemed very sorry at this news, because he was well and warme where he was. 1715 M. Davies Athen. Brit. I. 47 Before he was quite warm in Winchester, he fell into the King's displeasure. 1809 W. Irving Knickerb. vii. iii. (1900) 258 Scarcely had the worthy Mynheer Beekman got warm in the seat of authority on the South River than enemies began to spring up all around him. |
8. Comfortably off, well to do; rich, affluent. Now chiefly colloq.
| 1571 Campion Hist. Irel. ii. ix. (1633) 114 But you are well and warme and so hold you. 1573–80 Tusser Husb. (1878) 8 But I must plaie the farmer, and yet no whit the warmer. a 1624 Bp. M. Smith Serm. (1632) 118 All things seeme to fall out alike, to the one and to the other: nay, the wicked seeme to be the warmer, and to haue a greater portion in this life. 1626 Middleton Anything Quiet Life i. i, You are warm, and blest with a fair wife. 1699 Farquhar Love & Bottle i. 2 Your warm fellows are so far above the sense of our Misery, that they can't pitty us. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 450 §2 For who does not know or imagine the Comforts of being warm or living at Ease? 1742 Fielding J. Andrews ii. xiv, ‘Though I am but a curate,’ says Trulliber, ‘I believe I am as warm as the vicar himself.’ 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xvi, They who had warm fortunes were always sure of getting good husbands. 1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. 74 These farmers, and their warm, comfortable families, are of great consequence to the well being of agriculture itself. 1834 Macaulay in Life & Lett. (1880) I. 381 A warm man; a fellow who will cut up well. 1888 Rider Haggard Col. Quaritch xxviii, He is about the warmest man in our part of the country. 1908 J. S. Fletcher Mothers in Israel 304 With the serene consciousness of his value as a warm man. 1920 Guardian 5 Nov. 1034/4 In 1836 he was presented..to the very snug vicarage of Cheddar, and a year later he took to himself the still warmer benefice of Wiveliscombe. |
9. a. Of fighting, conflict, an onset: Vigorously conducted; pressing hard on or harassing the foe; also fig. Of a combatant: Dangerous to tackle. Of a locality: Dangerous to live in, inhabited by turbulent spirits. Phr. warm work, hot fighting. to make it (or things) warm for (a person): to attack or ‘go for’ him, to involve in hostilities or broils.
| 1627 J. Taylor (Water P.) Armado C 2, The Sweat, a vessell of warme imployment or hot seruice. 1667 Hatton Corr. (Camden) 53 You may easily imagine this does give us a warme alarum. 1682 Bunyan Holy War (1905) 235 They had from the Camp of Shaddai such frequent, warm, and terrifying alarms. 1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World 163, I saw the Mercury standing out of the bay, by which I judged the ship was too warm for her. 1759 R. Rogers Jrnls. (1769) 119 The Canadians and Indians..were soon stopped by a warm fire from the Rangers and Mohocks. 1760 Cautions & Advices to Officers of Army 182 If we had [been discovered], they might have made warm Work of it. 1793 Washington Let. Writ. 1891 XII. 380 If he should be detected in any knavish pranks I will make the country too warm for him to remain in. 1813 Southey Nelson II. ix. 255 Nelson then smiled, and said, ‘This is too warm work, Hardy, to last long.’ 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. v. 527 The action..was close, warm, and general. 1840 Dickens Old C. Shop vi, This being warmer work than they had calculated upon, speedily cooled the courage of the belligerents. 1847 J. Yeowell Anc. Brit. Church iii. 28 In his Second Epistle to Timothy..there are many traces of a warm persecution. 1874 ‘Max Adeler’ Out of Hurly-burly xv. (Rtldg.) 208 The bishop saw clearly enough that if he gave presents to the other children, and not to the late Simpson's, the bride would make things warm for him. 1884 Good Words June 399/1 The ‘habituals’..are, as a body, congregated together in one particularly warm little street... Outsiders do not care to venture into this warm spot. |
b. a warm reception: a vigorous onslaught or resistance; a demonstration of hostile feeling.
The phrase prob. belonged originally to sense 12 c, in which it is still current.
| 1702 [see reception 5 a]. 1737 [S. Berington] Mem. G. di Lucca (1738) 37 We thought, by that warm Reception, they would have given us over. 1841 James Brigand xxvi, We must give him [the rival] a warm reception. |
10. a. Of persons, party-feeling, controversy, etc.: Ardent, zealous, keen; eager, excited, heated. Const. for, upon.
Very common in the 17th and 18th c.; now somewhat rare.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 230 Yong conseil, which is to warm, Er men be war doth ofte harm. 1668 Temple Let. to Ld. Keeper Wks. 1731 II. 99 Which I could not have known, if the Marquis were not a very warm Talker, and sometimes farther than he intended. 1682 Bunyan Holy War (1905) 314 Then said the warm man, and true hearted Mr. Zeal-for-God, Cut them off. 1687 Atterbury Answ. Consid. Spirit Luther 20 Yet the Pamphlet is very warm with Luther for impiously accusing the Religious of uncleanness. 1705 Hearne Collect. 24 Aug. (O.H.S.) I. 34 He is now very warm for them. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton xiii. (1840) 233 So warm were the men upon it, that they grew..clamorous. 1737 Waterland Eucharist 113 Smalcius, a warm Man, and who seldom knew any Bounds. 1742 E. Montagu in Mrs. Montagu's Corr. (1906) I. 130 The Debates were very warm, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was terribly roasted. 1776 Trial of Nundocomar 59/2 The Counsel for the Prisoner speaking in a warm and improper manner to the Jury. 1791 Burke Th. Fr. Affairs Wks. 1842 I. 575 Of all men, the most dangerous is a warm, hot-headed, zealous atheist. 1847 Dickens in Forster Life (1872) I. ii. 49, I never can forget, that my mother was warm for my being sent back. 1850 Grote Greece ii. lviii. (1862) V. 161 A warm and even angry debate arose upon his present speech. 1874 Geo. Eliot Coll. Breakf. P. 348 Doting reasoners Who hugged some reasons with a preference As warm Laertes did. 1883 D. C. Murray Hearts xix. (1885) 163 They..found the young man there in a state of warm indignation at the libellous paragraph. |
b. Of the passions or disposition in general: Prone to excitement, ardent, impulsive; apt to disregard the voice of cool reason.
| 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xii. xiii, As Jones had the vices of a warm disposition, he was entirely free from those of a cold one. a 1768 Secker Serm. (1770) III. 50 They are just entering into the World..with lively Spirits and warm Passions to mislead them. |
11. Hot-tempered, angry.
| 1547 Q. Catherine Parr in S. Haynes St. Papers (1740) 61 My Lord your Brother hathe thys Afternone a lyttell made me warme. Yt was fortunate we war so muche dystant, for I suppose els I schulde have bytten hym. 1581 A. Hall Iliad ix. 168 This warme and bitter wrath it grew of strife. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 440 ¶4 This insensibly grew into some warm Words. Ibid. No. 481 ¶3 They say he's a warm Man, and does not care to be made Mouths at. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 505, I..begun to be a little warm with him. 1822 Galt Provost xxxvii, A fine bold rattling lad, warm in the temper. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 123 He was mortified and irritated by the tidings. He held warm and menacing language. 1855 D. Costello Stories fr. Screen 131 ‘It's an expression of mine when I'm angry.’ ‘You're warm,’ says he. |
12. a. Of the heart, feelings, etc.: Full of love, gratitude, approbation, etc.; very cordial or tender.
| c 1480 Henryson Cock & Fox 60 Quhen I behald ȝour fedderis fair and gent,..My hart is warme. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 150 The soule melteth whan it waxeth warme in deuocyon. 1740 New Hist. Jamaica iv. 86 He had a warm Side to the Royal Party, and encouraged the loyal Sufferers. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones v. iii, He was not yet free from doubt of misconstruing compassion, or at best esteem, into a warmer regard. 1822 M. A. Kelty Osmond I. 73 Her heart was warm in the cause of her young friend. 1828 Macaulay Ess. Hallam ¶43 The conduct of Hampden in the affair of the ship-money met with the warm approbation of every respectable Royalist in England. 1834 Dickens Sk. Boz, Boarding-ho. ii, A very warm friendship soon sprung up between them. 1864 D. G. Mitchell Seven Stories 57, I was beginning to feel a warm interest in the people over the way. 1904 Verney Mem. II. 239 Her warm heart..made her welcome in every household. |
b. with agent-noun or equivalent n., as a warm friend, warm supporter. Also of persons: Full of tenderness or affection.
| 1765 Museum Rust. IV. 314 A certain noble lord, a warm friend to every improvement in husbandry. 1827 Lytton Pelham ii, Yet to those he loved, no one could be more open and warm. 1838 ― Alice iii. vii, We should have thought that Lord Vargrave was her warmest admirer. 1842 Dickens Amer. Notes ix, I have frequently heard this admitted, even by those who are its warmest advocates. 1854 Patmore Angel in Ho. i. ii. vii. (1879) 205 Others as chaste and warm there are. 1891 E. Peacock N. Brendon II. 379 They were now warm friends. |
c. of utterances or manifestations.
| 1742 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. i. 277, I beg you would present my warmest thanks to my Lord Carteret. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xxxi, As you once had my warmest vows of constancy, you shall now have them repeated. 1782 Cowper Let. to J. Hill Nov., I received a note from old Mr. Small, which was more than civil—it was warm and friendly. 1814 Byron Lara i. vii, Warm was his welcome to the haunts of men. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. 206 He concluded by acknowledging in warm terms his obligations to the King of France. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay ix, She dispatched a warm invitation. |
13. Characterized by, of the nature of, prone to, sexual desire; amorous.
| 1592 Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 605 The warme effects which she in him finds missing, She seekes to kindle with continuall kissing. c 1630 Milton On May Morning 6 Hail bounteous May that dost inspire Mirth and youth and warm desire. 1897 Flor. Marryat Blood Vampire iv, She's rather a warm customer, and if she takes a fancy to a man, 'e won't well know 'ow to get out of it. |
14. a. With reference to fancy and imagination, ideas, expectations, and the like: Ardent, lively, glowing.
| 1668 Evelyn tr. Freart's Idea Perf. Paint. 49 Our Painters Idea was not, it seems, so warm. 1699 T. Allison Voy. Archangel 52 Notwithstanding it froze extream hard at this time, yet we had warm hopes of getting to Sea. 1702 Post Man 23–26 May 2/1 Yesterday there was a warm report that Her Majesty's Ship the Lenox..had attacked a Fleet of French Merchant Ships. 1746 Hervey Medit. (1818) 33 May we learn to renounce our own will, and be ready to make a sacrifice of our warmest wishes. 1838 Prescott Ferd. & Is. ii. viii. (1846) II. 424 Their imaginations were warm with the beauty and novelty of the scenes which met their eyes in the New World. 1849 Ruskin Sev. Lamps v. §24. 160 There is not one tender touch, not one warm stroke, on the whole fa{cced}ade. 1872 E. W. Robertson Hist. Ess. 192 Bridferth has drawn a very warm picture of the scene from which the indignant abbot snatched the king. |
b. Of imaginative composition: Indelicate in its appeal to sexual emotion.
| 1814 Jane Austen Mansf. Park xv, I do not know the play; but, as Maria says, if there is anything a little too warm..it can be easily left out. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey iii. vii, And then he stumbled on rather a warm scene in an old Château in the South of France. 1831 Scott Ct. Rob. x, He..avoided those warm descriptions which had given such offence to the Countess Brenhilda. 1846 Hints on Husband-catching 18 The most immoral doctrines, the warmest scenes. |
15. a. Of colour: Suggestive of warmth; said esp. of rich red or yellow, and tints mingled with these.
| 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 137 The canvas glow'd, beyond e'en Nature warm. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 752 Where a richer and warmer effect..is required, strong body colours must be employed. 1820 Keats Eve of St. Agnes xxv, Full on this casement shone the wintry moon, And threw warm gules on Madeline's fair breast. 1858 Kingsley Misc. (1860) I. iv. 198 The delicate yellow-green..fly, with its warm grey wings. 1860 Ruskin Mod. Paint. V. ix. xi. 320 If the tones of the picture are kept low.., and the reflected lights warm. 1892 Photogr. Ann. II. p. lv, Prints can be made either of warm or cold tones. 1897 Sarah Grand Beth Bk. xxxvii, The walls were painted a pale warm pink. |
b. qualifying an adjective of colour.
| 1864 Tennyson Aylmer's F. 155 The warm-blue breathings of a hidden hearth. |
16. Of a bill: Exorbitant in its charges. colloq.
| 1892 Daily News 20 July 5/4 He had expressed the opinion that a certain bill for stoves was ‘a warm one.’ ‘Excuse my ignorance,’ interrupted the Lord Chief Justice, ‘but what does {oqq}warm{cqq} mean?’ |
17. Comb. and spec. collocations: a. parasynthetic, as warm-backed, warm-bosomed, warm-coloured, warm-complexioned, warm-constitutioned, warm-gloved, warm-seated, warm-tempered, warm-veined adjs.; b. warm bath, a bath of warm water (often as a medical treatment); also warm bathing; warm boot Computers, a reloading or restart of an operating system, etc., without switching off the computer, esp. when changing programs; also as v. trans., to reload in this way; warm front Meteorol., the forward boundary of a mass of advancing warm air; † warm head, a warm-headed person; warm-headed a., having a heated fancy or excitable temperament; warm-house, a kind of hot-house; warm with colloq., (spirits) mixed with hot water and sugar (cf. cold without).
| 1847 R. S. Surtees Hawbuck Gr. iii, An atmosphere warranting the *warm-backed waistcoat. |
| 1731 R. Porter in Med. Ess. (1737) III. 371, I resolved therefore to try what might be the Advantage of a *warm Bath, by relaxing the Intestine, and opening the Passage. 1858 J. H. Walsh Dom. Med. 370 Action on the skin by means of the warm-bath or the vapour-bath. |
| 1744 J. Stevenson in Med. Ess. V. ii. 867 *Warm Bathing, by relaxing and enlarging the Capacities of the Vessels, makes a Derivation of the Fluids into the Parts bathed. 1813 J. Thomson Inflammation 173 Hot fomentations and warm-bathing. |
| 1980 R. Zaks CP/M Handbk. with MP/M i. 22 This combination..produces a ‘warm start’ (or ‘*warm boot’, or ‘system reboot’). A warm start essentially interrupts whatever the computer is doing and starts the operation system over again. Ibid. 32 If you are only reading from a new diskette..a warm boot is not necessary to introduce the new diskette. 1981 Your Computer (Austral.) May–June 100/3 Warm boot, to reload the operating system a second or subsequent time. 1983 Ibid. May 21/1 After a program has run [on the Commodore 64], CP/M warm-boots—a process that takes about 30 seconds. Once a CP/M program is loaded, it runs just fine. 1983 Byte May 28/2 The Model 100..did not need extra time to load the text editor and the document file from the disk and later store the document on disk and reload CP/M (do a warm boot). |
| 1925 Blunden Eng. Poems 54 *Warm-bosomed hawthorn stands in fruitful rest. |
| 1818 Scott Br. Lamm. xxvi, It was comfortably hung with a sort of *warm-coloured worsted. |
| 1761 A. Murphy All in Wrong ii. 28 A smooth-faced, fiery eyed, *warm-complexioned, taper young fellow. |
| 1775 Adair Amer. Ind. 190 The *warm-constitutioned young widows. |
| 1921 Bjerknes & Solberg in Geofysiske Publikationer II. iii. 12 In the first case, the boundary line at the ground will be the front of advancing cold air, or, to introduce a shorter expression, a ‘cold front’. In the latter case, the boundary line will be the front of advancing warm air, or simply a ‘*warm front’. 1969 A. G. Forsdyke Weather Guide 49 The rain belt ahead of a warm front is often 200 to 300 miles wide. |
| 1922 Joyce Ulysses 536 Hobbledehoy, *warmgloved,..stunned with spent snowballs, struggles to rise. |
| 1684 Def. Resol. Case of Consc. conc. Symbolizing with Ch. Rome 32 By what figure do you call one Start-up *Warm Head a new Generation? |
| 1690 Locke Hum. Und. iv. iv. §1 The advantage will be on the *warm-headed Man's side, as having the more Ideas, and the more lively. 1749 G. Lavington Enthus. Meth. & Papists (1820) 95 Our rambling, warm-headed, itinerant preachers. |
| 1843 Florist's Jrnl. (1846) IV. 175 They may then be placed in the *warm-house. 1903 Westm. Gaz. 8 Oct. 10/2 The tubers..were first planted in a warm-house. |
| 1922 Joyce Ulysses 265 Sprawled, *warmseated, Boylan impatience, ardentbold. |
| 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. ii. 437 *Warm⁓temp'red show'rs it sendeth in the Spring. 1796 F. Burney Camilla III. 244 The Ensign [was] more warm tempered and wrong-headed. 1818 Scott Br. Lamm. xxii, I know Lady Ashton is a warm-tempered and prejudiced woman. |
| 1943 Dylan Thomas New Poems 12 A man outside with a billhook,..The *warm-veined double of Time. |
| 1838 Bentley's Misc. IV. 575 A second tumbler of brandy and water, ‘*warm with,’ stood exhaling its fragrance at my elbow. 1840 T. A. Trollope Summer in Brittany I. 213 They have some other object and enjoyment in life besides the consumption of ‘warm with’ or ‘cold without’. |
B. absol. and n.2
1. a. That which is warm; a state, or sensation, of being warm; warmth. rare.
| a 1250 Owl & Night. 538 Hi beoþ houhful & wel arme And secheþ yorne to þen warme. c 1350 St. Christina 251 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 95 Of al þe fire scho felid no warm. Þan come scho furth with-outen harm. 1379 Glouc. Cath. MS. 19, No. 1, fol. 9 b, The more nere the sonne ys to vs the more hete or warme. 1513 Douglas æneis vi. xii. 16 A hait fyry power, warme, and dew. a 1547 Surrey ‘The sonne hath twise’ 7 The winters hurt recouers with the warm. 1839 A. Pike in Blackw. Mag. XLV. 819 A pleasant warm is felt upon the sea. |
b. in the warm: (of a solution, etc.) in a warm state.
| 1903 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 21 Mar. 654 The union of toxin and antitoxin occurs in fixed ratios, more rapidly in concentrated solution and in the warm. |
c. in(to) the warm: indoors, out of the cold.
| 1969 F. Hurt Death in Mist vii. 74 I'll just put the spade away and then we can go into the warm. 1974 J. Aiken Midnight is Place viii. 231, I don't think Mr Oakapple is ready for more news until we have him sitting in the warm. |
2. British (Service) warm, a warm short overcoat worn especially by officers of the army. Also without British (Service), and (rarely) attrib., as warm-coat.
| 1901 Imp. Yeom., Rep. D.A.G. 15 May (1902) 123 The coat or jacket known as ‘British Service Warm,’ which is practically an overcoat made to wear over uniform, thick and warm. 1912 Blackw. Mag. June 803/2 In a ‘British Warm’ and patched breeches. 1928 Blunden Undertones of War iii. 26 My warm-coat was not adequate. 1954 W. Faulkner Fable 114 His braces knotted about his waist under his open warm. 1958 Spectator 11 July 53/2 A florid gentleman in a military warm. |
▸ colloq. (chiefly U.S.). warm and fuzzy: (evoking feelings that are) amorphously sentimental, pleasant, or comforting; friendly, affectionate; cf. warm fuzzy n. at Additions.
| [1892 N.Y. Times 8/3 (advt.) Eider down, some call it; it is warm, fuzzy flannel.] [1938 N.Y. Times 27 Nov. 7/3 (advt.) A collarless jacket of warm and fuzzy ‘fur’ which is headed for new popularity with the cold weather.] [1939 H. Miller Cosmological Eye 25 The heat of the afternoon drifts in through the cool studio; it puts a warm, fuzzy aura about Max's words.] 1984 Forbes (Nexis) 27 Feb. 64 ‘We want them to come in and sit down and talk with us. We pay in the sense of having operating..costs, but we've had a chance to schmooze with them or hug them or whatever.’.. Jacoby terms these touches ‘warm and fuzzy’. 1992 N.Y. Times 17 Aug. a7/2 In 1984, Ronald Reagan's warm and fuzzy ‘Morning in America’ commercials showed two men wiping down a fire engine in a small town on a sunny summer afternoon. 1996 T. Clancy Executive Orders xxvi. 344 ‘We can't stop this merger... So..we think of it as an opportunity to open a dialogue with the new country.’.. ‘That'll really make the Saudis feel warm and fuzzy,’ a voice objected. 2001 Sugar Feb. 98/2 You feel all warm and fuzzy inside and sleep with his piccie under your pillow. |
▸ warm-and-fuzzy n. colloq. (orig. and chiefly U.S.) = warm fuzzy n. at Additions; cf. warm and fuzzy at Additions.
| 1990 N.Y. Times 26 Aug. xx. 24/4 (advt.) General's great low rates now come with the *warm and fuzzies. 2002 U.S. News & World Rep. 21 Jan.–4 Feb. 8/1 There is an election to worry about, and the post-September 11 warm and fuzzies are over. |
▸ warm fuzzy n. colloq. (orig. and chiefly U.S.) (a person who or thing which induces) a pleasant, comforting, or friendly feeling; usu. in pl.; cf. warm and fuzzy at Additions.
| 1978 Acad. Managem. Rev. 3 81/1 In her enthusiasm, she even reports a fantasy that AT&T should adopt the slogan ‘Ma Bell gives *warm fuzzies’. 1994 Equinox June 38/3 When I think back on what this team has accomplished, I get a warm fuzzy. I know there's some good in the world, because I've been a part of it. 1999 A. Fulton Feeling as Foreign Lang. 20 Manufacturers..want the phrase ‘personal computers’ to trip off the collective tongue... ‘Personal’ infects computers with the warm fuzzies, a condition no appliance has had to bear before. 2000 Cosmopolitan (Cape Town) 5 Oct. 103/2 I'm all for comfy [love]: sparks and magic are far less important over the long haul than support and the warm fuzzies. |
▸ warm salad n. a salad containing one or more warm ingredients (often meat or fish).
| 1927 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald (Electronic text) 30 Jan. A *warm salad, or a salad entree, is also a substantial help to a slim dinner. 1982 Times 30 Oct. 8 Warm salad of chicken livers ({pstlg}3.75). 2005 Olive Mar. 101/2 A kaleidoscope of balanced flavours from supremely gifted Paul Ripley: warm salad of tea-smoked mackerel with satsumas and Medjool dates. |
▪ III. warm, adv.
(wɔːm)
Now only quasi-adv., in predicate-extensions.
[OE. wearme, f. the adj.]
Warmly; so as to be warm.
| c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 116 Bewreoh ðe wearme. ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 409 Wel had she clad hir silf and warme. c 1410 Lantern of Light 46 Whanne þe sunne schynneþ warme. 1596 Edw. III, iii. v. 90 With thy sword, yet reaking warme With blood of those that fought to be thy bane. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 356 When the South or West Winds blow, or the Sun shines warm. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) V. 336 They should be put nest and all into a little basket, which should be covered up warm. 1820 Keats Lamia i. 8 Hermes empty left His golden throne, bent warm on amorous theft. 1840 Dickens Old C. Shop xlvi, The women straightway carried her off to bed; and, having covered her up warm, [etc.]. |
b. Comb., qualifying an adj. or pple., as † warm-hot; warm-breathed, warm-contested, warm-sheltered; warm-kept, warm-lying, warm-reeking, warm-working.
| c 1430 Two Cookery-bks. 8 Set it on þe fyre tyl it be warme hot. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, v. ii. 335 For Maides well Summer'd, and warme kept, are like Flyes at Bartholomewtyde. 1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. i. ii. 4 The North⁓east and South winde..bringing in the warme-working waters of the Sea, loosneth the frozen Bayes. 1740 Somervile Hobbinol iii. 245 The panting Rivals..in Conceit Already grasp the warm-contested Prize. 1757 Dyer Fleece ii. 161 The high heath, by trees Warm-shelter'd, may despise the rage of storms. 1775 Sheridan Rivals ii. i, Their quivering, warm-breathed sighs impregnate the very air. 1786 Burns To a Haggis iii, O what a glorious sight, Warm⁓reekin, rich! 1786 Abercrombie Gard. Assist. 294 Plunge plants in pots—in some dry warm-lying ground. |
▪ IV. warm, v.
(wɔːm)
Pa. tense and pple. warmed (wɔːmd). Forms: 1 werman, wærman, wirman, wyrman; wearmian; 2–3 Orm. warrmenn, 3 werme, wormie, 3–7 warme, 5– warm.
[Two formations: (i) OE. (*wierman), węrman, wirman trans. = OS. warmian (MLG., (M)Du. warmen), OHG. warmen, wermen (MHG. wermen, mod.G. wärmen), ON. verma (Sw. värma, Da. varme), Goth. warmjan:—OTeut. *warmjan; (ii) OE. wearmian intr. = OHG. war(a)mên (MHG., early mod.G. warmen):—OTeut. type *warmǣjan; both f. OTeut. *warmo- warm a.]
I. trans. To make warm.
1. a. To make (one's body, limbs, etc.) warm by approach to a fire, exposure to the sun's rays, exercise, clothing, etc.; to impart warmth to (a person or animal suffering from cold).
| c 900 Bæda's Hist. iii. xiv. (1890) 196 Se cyning þonne, forðon he of huntað cwom ᵹestod æt þam fyre & hine wyrmde. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John xviii. 14 Þa þeᵹnas stodon æt þam gledon, & wyrmdon hiᵹ. c 1200 Ormin 2711 To wasshenn hemm, to warrmenn hemm, To beddenn hemm & frofrenn. c 1205 Lay. 12609 Nu þu scalt þe warmen [c 1275 wormie] þer. c 1275 Passion of our Lord 230 in O.E. Misc. 43 Peter stod..and wermede hym at the glede. a 1300 Cursor M. 23090 O naked-hed quen i drogh arme, Yee gaf me clething me to warme. 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 332 For no cold þat vs comeþ in oure kinde age, We ne faren to no fir our fingrus to warme. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 431 Þan he oppynd þe dure & said vnto hym: And þou be a man, þou hase myster to hafe þe dure opynd, and to hafe meatt and warm þe. 1471 Caxton Recuyell (Sommer) 169 Prayng hym that he wold brynge her in to some hous where she myghte warme and chauffe her wyth her chyld for he was nyhe ded for cold. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 238 b, All the Ladyes entered the tentes and there warmed them a space. 1604 E. G. tr. Acosta's Hist. Indies ii. ix. 101, I felt so great cold, as I was forced to go into the sunne to warme me. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. ii. xix. 121 His hands must be their own fire, and warm themselves with working. 1798 S. Lee Canterb. T., Young Lady's T. II. 74 A group of fishermen sat warming themselves in the sun. 1831 Scott Ct. Rob. xxvi, Think not I will once more warm in my bosom the household snake which had so nearly stung me to death. 1852 Thackeray Esmond i. xiv, You little serpent, warmed by my fire. 1860 Tyndall Glaciers i. xi. 72 We rose..renewed the fire and warmed ourselves. 1902 R. Bagot Donna Diana i. 4 Shall we go to Aragno's on our way home and have some coffee to warm us? |
| absol. 1611 Bible Isa. xlvii. 14 There shall not be a coale to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. |
b. Said of a fire, the sun, etc. Also absol.
| a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 216 b, Whiche sight as much pleased the citizens, as a fier paynted on the wall, warmed the olde woman. 1583 Babington Commandm. 413 When they are colde, they goe to the fire, and not to the water to warme them; and can they not tell which dooth warme and which dooth coole? 1732 Pope Ess. Man i. 271 All are but parts of one stupendous whole..That..Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze. |
c. To increase the animal heat of. In quot. absol.
| 1610 Markham Masterp. ii. clxxiii. 483 It looseth and scattereth humors, warmeth and moisteneth. |
d. Said of the blood.
| 1759 Sterne Tr. Shandy II. xvii, He was as honest a soul, added Trim, (pulling out his handkerchief) as ever blood warmed. 1810 Scott Lady of L. v. xiv, For I have sworn this braid to stain In the best blood that warms thy vein. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxxi, The blood that warms an English yeoman. |
2. In various figurative uses. a. To inspire with affection or kindly feelings; to cause to ‘glow’ with pleasure.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 266 It calefyeth & warmeth the hert of man or woman with the flame of loue. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. Introd. Pref. (1848) p. xxx, Whilst pious Reflections are making, they are proper to Instruct the Mind, and Warm the Affections. 1773 Mrs. Chapone Improv. Mind (1774) I. 78 The effusions of a heart warm'd with the tenderest affection. 1836 J. Grant Random Recoll. Ho. Lords xvi. 391 That eloquence which approves itself to the judgment, though it never warms the heart by appeals to the passions. 1837 Dickens Pickw. lvii, It will warm my heart to witness the happiness of those friends who are dearest to me. 1847 C. Brontë J. Eyre xi, The charm of adventure sweetens that sensation, the glow of pride warms it. 1864 Tennyson Aylmer's F. 554 Once indeed, Warm'd with his wines, or taking pride in her, She look'd so sweet, he kiss'd her tenderly. 1905 C. G. Lang Th. Parables Jesus 16 When the example of a true man or woman warms the heart and fires the will. |
| absol. 1883 R. W. Dixon Mano i. viii. 21 Those lightsome words that warm like summer days. |
b. To render eager or zealous; to rouse from indifference, esp. to put (an audience) into a receptive mood. Also absol. Now usu. with up.
| c 1580 Hooker Sir P. Carew (1857) 42 Sir Peter Carew was then present, and one unto whom, as they thought, the speeches were specially directed..and indeed, he being some⁓what warmed theirin, deviseth how to compass the matter. 1638 Davenant Madagascar 10 When honours warmes him, and his blood is young. 1706 Epistle after Battle Ramillies 106 Prior's Wks. 1907 II. 372 The rescu'd chief, by the past danger warm'd, Our weaken'd houshold with new fury storm'd. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 521 ¶2, I had arrived at a particular Skill in warming a Man so far in his Narration, as to make him throw in a little of the Marvelous. 1737 Whiston Josephus, Hist. i. i. §4 When he was warmed by this great success, he made an assault upon the garrison that was in the city. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 380 Calm is my soul, nor apt to rise in arms, Except when fast approaching danger warms. 1764 Churchill Gotham iii. 323 The Soul, with great and manly feelings warm'd, Panting for Knowledge, rests not till inform'd. 1765 Burke Corr. (1844) I. 59, I am not used to defend my conduct;..I have been warmed to it by the imputation you threw on me. 1857 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 308 Anne, who is so difficult to warm up to bare satisfaction point. 1892 ‘Mark Twain’ Amer. Claimant xxiv. 236 I'll just go over there and warm up that House of Lords. 1923 N.Y. Times 14 Oct. viii. 4 Warming 'em up—Going on early as a sacrifice for the later acts. 1966 Guardian 28 Mar. 3/7 Mrs Bessie Braddock warmed up the meeting for him. 1974 Times 21 Jan. 12/8 In the studio..Llew Gardner, the chairman, warmed us up music-hall style and the three panellists appeared. 1982 N. Painting Reluctant Archer vii. 113 We might have warmed up his audience for him. |
† c. To exhort to valour. (Often in Dryden and Pope.) Obs.
| 1697 Dryden æneis vii. 657 The Gods invok'd, the Rutuli prepare Their Arms, and warm each other to the War. Ibid. viii. 927 The Queen her self,..With Cymbals toss'd, her fainting Souldiers warms. 1718 Pope Iliad xvi. 653 First to the Fight his native Troops he warms. |
d. Of drink: To excite, stimulate.
| 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 3 When the common people are once warmed with drinke, they are apt to doe them injury. 1743 Francis tr. Hor., Epodes xi. 12 When the gay Liquor warm'd my opening Soul. |
† e. To provoke, excite (temper). Obs.
| 1752 Chesterfield Let. to Son 26 Sept., Keep your own temper, and artfully warm other people's. |
3. a. To make (a material object or substance) warm; to heat moderately; to ‘take the chill off’.
| a 1000 Riddles xii[i]. 10 Wonfeax Wale..wæteð in wætre, wyrmeð hwilum fæᵹre to fyre. c 1000 in Assmann Ags. Hom. xi. 84 For ðy he cwæð be ðam colan wætere, ðæt nan man ne ðorfte hine beladian, ðæt he fæt næfde, on hwy he hit wyrman mihte. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 1109 The laurer crowned Phebus with his hete Gan..To warmen of þe Est See þe wawes wete. a 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula etc. 40 Þe Iuyse of celidone y-medled wiþ vinegre and warmed at þe fire..quenchiþ wele þe wickid hete. 1530 Palsgr. 771/2 You must warme your medecyne or you drinke it. a 1589 R. Willes in Hakluyt Voy. 611 Before the Sunne hath warmed the ayre and dissolued the ise,..there can be no sailing. 1617 S. H. Preserv. Health (1624) 45 In the Winter time, warme well your garments at the fire, and warm the linings of the same. 17.. Watts Hymns & Spir. Songs ii. cxlvii. (1751) 259 E'er there was Rain to bless the Earth, Or Sun to warm the Ground. 1747–96 H. Glasse Cookery xv. 269 Skim it, warm it blood warm, and drink it. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. VI. 168 In summer, they [sc. fish] are seen in great numbers in the shallows near the shore, where the sun has power to warm the water to the bottom. 1859 H. Kingsley G. Hamlyn xix, The tea's cold; put it on the embers and warm it a bit. 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. i. i, You can get my slippers warmed, Jane. 1900 Jrnl. Soc. Dyers XVI. 12 Powerful jets with water warmed by steam. 1907 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6) 159 The negative should be slightly warmed. |
† b. Said jocularly for: To occupy (one's bed).
| 1599 Marston Antonio's Rev. iii. ii, I thinke we shall not warme our beds to day. |
c. to warm up (U.S. to warm over): to make warm again (cooked food that has become cold). Also (rarely) without adv.
| 1848 Dickens Dombey lix, She requests to have that little bit of sweetbread that was left, warmed up for her supper. 1853 A. Soyer Pantroph. 380 Another custom..was that of warming the remains of a preceding banquet for other guests. 1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting iii. 68 We lived for three days on a most recommendable stew,..which appeared, warmed up fresh, at every meal. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Valerie's Fate iv, Valerie went..to the kitchen to warm up an appetizing little dish prepared by the femme de ménage. |
| fig. 1876 Ld. Hartington in Ld. E. Fitzmaurice Earl Granville (1905) II. 167 All the old anti-Turk abuse was warmed up again. 1879 O. W. Holmes Motley xxi. 162 [The reply] took up the old exceptions, warmed them over into grievances. |
d. To impart warmth of colour to.
| 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xxxv. (1856) 321 A peculiar purple, slightly warmed or bronzed at its margins. 1862 M. E. Braddon Lady Audley iii, Not one glimmer of gold or auburn warmed the dull flaxen of her hair. |
4. To heat (a building, a room) to a moderate temperature.
| 1858 Lardner Hand-bk. Nat. Phil. 278 Warming buildings by hot water. 1874 J. T. Micklethwaite Modern Par. Churches 200 A perfect method of warming churches has yet to be invented. 1915 Blackw. Mag. Mar. 345/1 The room was warmed by a brazier. |
† 5. To inaugurate (a new house) by a feast or entertainment. Obs. Cf. house-warming 2.
| 1617 in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1848) II. 50 On Monday, to warm it [the renovated house], he made a great feast. 1661 Heylin Eccl. Restaur. (1674) 237 Sir Thomas Tresham..took possession of his place, which having scarce warmed, he was taken from it by the stroke of death. 1800 Gentl. Mag. LXX. ii. 786/2 The Prince, it is said, will be present at the first dinner that warms this room. |
† 6. to be well warmed: to be settled in (a residence, position of dignity or profit). Obs. Cf. warm a. 7.
| 1565 Allen Defence Purg. (1886) 16 Ere they be well warmed in their benefices. 1711 Country-Man's Let. Curat 79 Even before she was well warm'd on the Throne. |
7. † a. Mil. To throw (an enemy) into commotion by a cannonade. to warm the field: to carry on a furious cannonade. Obs.
Cf. F. chauffer un poste, ‘le canonner vivement’ (Littré).
| 1705 Addr. Blessington in Lond. Gaz. No. 4089/2 The English warm'd the Field to that degree, that Thirty Squadrons..were forc'd to fly. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton xi. (1840) 187 Resolving to give him a broadside that should warm him. |
† b. Sporting. to warm up: to give (one's competitor) reason to fear defeat. Obs.
| 1868 Field 4 July 14/3 First Trinity rowed over for the trial heat, and in the final heat on the second day ‘warmed up’ University to some tune. |
c. to warm the bell (see quots.). Naut. slang.
| 1924 G. H. A. Willis Royal Navy as I saw It 116 ‘To warm the bell’, meaning literally to strike the bell a minute or two before the exact time, was applied to circumstances in which to be in good time was meant. 1925 Fraser & Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 300 Warming the bell, putting on the clock. Advancing the time illegitimately for some particular reason. 1956 H. W. Edwards Their Lawful Occasions xxiv. 130 ‘Ah! I see. All ready dressed for the shore,’ I said. ‘Warming the bell, eh?’ 1976 Oxf. Compan. Ships & Sea 924/2 To warm the bell... On board warships in the days of sail, time was measured by a half-hour sand-glass. Each time the sand ran through the glass was turned..and the appropriate number of bells struck. It was supposed..that if the glass was warmed the expansion of the neck would allow the sand to run through a little more quickly. Hence..eight bells and the return to one's hammock, would come gratifyingly earlier than it should. |
8. dial. To beat, flog.
| 1824 Carr Craven Gloss., Warm, to beat. ‘I'll warm thy jerkin for the.’ 1825 Brockett N.C. Words, Warm, to beat. ‘Aw'l warm yor hide.’ 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xxix, Old Dorothy, whose hand has warmed my haffits before now. 1853 ‘C. Bede’ Verdant Green i. i, You take out your strap and warm him! 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. i. xxi, Won't Charlotte warm his back for him! 1892 M. C. F. Morris Yorks. Folk Talk 95 Every Yorkshireman knows what warming a child means; perhaps not a few..by bitter experience. 1915 ‘Q’ (Quiller-Couch) in Blackw. Mag. Jan. 102/2 To ‘warm’ a child in Polpier signifies to beat him with a strap. |
II. intr. To become warm.
9. a. Of a living body, a material thing or substance: To be raised in temperature.
| a 1000 Phœnix 213 Wyrta wearmiaþ. c 1000 ælfric Gram. xxvi. (Z.) 154 Caleo, ic wearmiᵹe. c 1400 Destr. Troy 4035 Wyndis wastid away, warmyt the ayre. c 1648–50 R. Brathwait Barnabees Jrnl. iii. (1818) 95 Thence to Cambridge where the Muses Haunt the Vine-bush..Like sparks up a chimney warming. 1827 Faraday Chem. Manip. iv. (1842) 141 A large thermometer..may from the lapse of time necessary to allow of its proper change, occasion an alteration of temperature, by allowing the body tried to cool or warm. 1868 L. M. Alcott Little Women i, Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm. 1872 O. W. Holmes Poet i. (1885) 19 A cold day warming up to 32°. 1889 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms xi, Here's some damper and mutton..while tea warms. 1904 S. E. White Forest xiv, The weather had warmed, the sun shone. |
b. Of colour: To become ‘warmer’ or more ruddy.
| 1831 James Phil. Augustus xv, On a bright morning of July, when the grey of the sky was just beginning to warm with the rising day. 1906 Westm. Gaz. 8 June 8/1 His head and underparts are of a pearly grey that warms to a pinkish hue on the breast. |
c. With up. Of a sportsman, etc.: to prepare oneself by light exercise or practice immediately before the start of a contest or other physical exertion.
| 1883 [see warming vbl. n. 1 d]. 1926 Amer. Speech I. 369/2 Pitchers ‘warm up’ on a plot of grass called ‘the bull pen’. 1955 R. Bannister First Four Minutes 16, I was warming up on the uneven grass near the track. 1972 J. Mosedale Football viii. 118 Ed Neale..used to warm up for the game by breaking beer bottles across his forearm. 1976 J. Snow Cricket Rebel 35 Graeme Pollock again. Warming up with his first half century in 70 minutes and dashing to his century [in]..only 35 minutes. |
d. With up. Of an engine, electrical appliance, etc.: to reach a temperature high enough for efficient working.
| 1947 A. Ransome Great Northern? i. 24 There was a whirr from below as the engine started and a steady throbbing as it was warming up. 1955 A. Budrys in D. Knight 100 Yrs. Sci. Fiction (1969) 255 Halsey's familiar figure appeared on the screen as the set warmed up. 1958 ‘N. Shute’ Rainbow & Rose i. 18 He went to the transceiver and turned it on to warm up. 1972 Daily Tel. 12 Apr. 13/5 The engine warms up rapidly and performs eagerly. |
10. Of a person, his heart, feelings, etc.: To become affectionate, kindly, or genial (to, towards a person).
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 3376 And I in longing am Laght & Lappit full sore, With hete of þi hegh loue, þat my hert warmys. 1779 F. Burney Diary Feb., Mr. Thrale was..at first, cold and quiet, but soon..warmed into sociality. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xxxv, I judged that..your Grace's heart wad warm to the tartan. 1833 L. Ritchie Wanderings by Loire 46 Every heart seemed..to warm towards the little devotee. 1848 Dickens Dombey xx, Mr. Dombey, in his friendlessness, inclined to the Major. It cannot be said that he warmed towards him, but he thawed a little. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. iv. 141 Carlyle..cannot, indeed, but warm to Scott at the end. 1883 D. C. Murray Hearts i, His heart warmed over Baretti as they walked along together. |
11. To become eager, animated, or enthusiastic. Also, with up. to warm (up) to: to become interested in, acquire zest for, to ‘put one's back into’ (one's work, a contest, etc.).
| 1749 Smollett Gil Blas xi. xiv. (1782) IV. 209, I expected every moment to see them warm, and to go to loggerheads, the usual end of their dissertations. 1835 Dickens Sk. Boz, Mr. Watkins Tottle i, ‘I'll tell you,’ replied Mr. Gabriel Parsons, warming with the subject, and the brandy-and-water,—‘I know a lady [etc.].’ 1846 Disraeli in Moneypenny & Buckle Life (1914) III. 11, I have not yet added much to my abortive MSS. of the German Schloss of last year, but am beginning to warm up. 1858 Thackeray Virgin. xxxviii, Papa's first nervousness is over: his noble voice clears, warms to his sermon. 1867 H. Latham Black & White 5 Congress will by that time have met, and be warming to their work. 1868 E. Edwards Ralegh I. iv. 72 When he found that his competitor was formidable, he warmed to the race. 1879 M{supc}Carthy Own Times II. xxix. 364 He warmed up as he went along. 1885 M. E. Wilkins in Harper's Mag. Mar. 594/1 She warmed up on the subject. |