King James Bible Dictionary

VA'POR, noun [Latin vapor ]

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, etc. are in common language called vapors, though the term vapor is technical applied only to an invisible and condensible substance, as in No. 1; fog, etc. 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.

3. Substances resembling smoke, which sometimes fill the atmosphere, particularly in America during the autumn.

4. Wind; flatulence.

5. Mental fume; vain imagination; unreal fancy.

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 4:1.

VA'POR, verb intransitive [Latin veporo.]

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.]

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.

VA'POR, verb transitive To emit, cast off or scatter in fumes or stream; as, to vapor away a heated fluid.

Another sighing vapors forth his soul.

VAPORABIL'ITY, noun The quality of being capable of vaporization.

VAP'ORABLE, adjective Capable of being converted into vapor by the agency of caloric.

VAPORA'TION, noun [Latin vaporatio.] The act or process of converting into vapor, or of passing off in vapor.

VA'POR-BATH, noun [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 fumes of hot water.

VA'PORED, adjective

1. Moist; wet with vapors.

2. Splenetic; peevish.

VA'PORER, noun A boaster; one who makes a vaunting display of his prowess or worth; a braggart.

VAPORIF'IC, adjective [Latin vapor and facio, to make.]

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

VA'PORING, participle present tense Boasting; vaunting ostentatiously and vainly.

VA'PORINGLY, adverb In a boasting manner.

VA'PORISH, adjective

1. Full of vapors.

2. Hypochondriac; splenetic; affected by hysterics.

VAPORIZA'TION, noun The artificial formation of vapor.

VAP'ORIZE, verb transitive To convert into vapor by the application of heat or artificial means.

VAP'ORIZE, verb intransitive To pass off in vapor.

VAP'ORIZED, participle passive Expelled in vapor.

VAP'ORIZING, participle present tense Converting into vapor.

VA'POROUS, adjective

1. Full of vapors or exhalations; as the vaporous air of valleys.

2. Vain; unreal; proceeding from the vapors.

3. Windy; flatulent; as, vaporous food is the most easily digested.

VA'POROUSNESS, noun State of being full of vapors.

VA'PORY, adjective

1. Vaporous; full of vapors.

2. Hypochondriac; splenetic; peevish.