See Also: vaporous(dictionary)

vaporous (iou)



vaporous adjective. LME.
[from late Latin vaporus or Latin vaporosus (see VAPOROSE), or in later use from VAPOUR noun: see -OUS.]
a. Medicine. Of the nature of a supposed emanation from an internal organ or substance in the body. Cf. VAPOUR noun 3a. LME-M17.
Sir T. Browne The brain doth..suffer from vaporous ascensions from the stomach.
b. Esp. of food: emitting or exuding vapour or a strong aroma; provoking supposed unhealthy exhalations. M16-M18.
Of or designating the form, nature, or consistency of vapour; characterized by vapour or (loosely) moistness. LME.
B. Unsworth Outside there was a thin vaporous mist in the air.
b. Of a fabric or garment: gauzy, filmy. M19.
Filled with vapour, thick or dim with vapour; foggy, misty; covered or hidden by vapour. Now chiefly literary. LME.
W. Petty Holland is a Level Country,..moist and vaporous.
Of a person etc.: inclined to be fanciful or vague. Of an idea, a statement, etc.: fanciful, vague, insubstantial. E17.
J. le Carre I decided to take an official tone..: no half promises, no vaporous reassurances for me.
vapo'rosity noun vaporous quality LME.
vaporously adverb L19.
vaporousness noun E17.