n.
- the quality of being hot; high temperature.
▸Physics heat seen as a form of energy arising from the random motion of the molecules of bodies.
▸technical the amount of heat needed for or evolved in a specific process.
▸a source or level of heat for cooking.
- intensity of feeling, especially of anger or excitement.
▸
(the heat)
informal intensive and unwelcome pressure.
- a preliminary round in a race or contest.
v.
- make or become hot or warm.
-
(heat up)
become more intense and exciting.
▸
[
as adj. heated]
inflamed with passion or conviction:
a heated argument.
▸archaic inflame; excite.
Phrase
- in the heat of the moment
while temporarily angry or excited and without stopping to think. - on
(or N. Amer. in)
heat
(of a female mammal) in the receptive period of the sexual cycle; in oestrus.
Derivative
Etymology
OE hætu (n.), hætan (v.), of Gmc origin; rel. to hot.