Stew — Defs

01 n. A small pond or pool where fish are kept for the table; a vivarium.

1.
A small pond or pool where fish are kept for the table; a vivarium.[Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
2.
An artificial bed of oysters.[Local, U.S.]

02 v. t. To boil slowly, or with the simmering or moderate heat; to seethe; to cook in a little liquid, over a gentle fire, without boiling; as, to …

imp. & p. p. Stewed; p. pr. & vb. n. Stewing

1.
To boil slowly, or with the simmering or moderate heat; to seethe; to cook in a little liquid, over a gentle fire, without boiling; as, to stew meat; to stew oysters; to stew apples.

03 v. i. To be seethed or cooked in a slow, gentle manner, or in heat and moisture.

04 n. A place of stewing or seething; a place where hot bathes are furnished; a hothouse.

1.
A place of stewing or seething; a place where hot bathes are furnished; a hothouse.[Obs.]
“As burning Aetna from his boiling stew Doth belch out flames.” — Spenser.

“The Lydians were inhibited by Cyrus to use any armor, and give themselves to baths and stews.” — Abp. Abbot.
2.
A brothel; -- usually in the plural.
“There be that hate harlots, and never were at the stews.” — Aschman.
3.
A prostitute.[Obs.]
4.
A dish prepared by stewing; as, a stewof pigeons.
5.
A state of agitating excitement; a state of worry; confusion; as, to be in a stew.[Colloq.]