steel

 
Pronunciation: /stiːl/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a hard, strong grey or bluish-grey alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used as a structural and fabricating material: [as modifier]: steel girders
  • used as a symbol or embodiment of strength and firmness: nerves of steel [as modifier]: a steel will
  • [count noun] a rod of roughened steel on which knives are sharpened.

verb

[with object]
  • mentally prepare (oneself) to do or face something difficult: his team were steeling themselves for disappointment [with infinitive]: she steeled herself to remain calm

Origin:

Old English stȳle, stēli, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch staal, German Stahl, also to stay2. The verb dates from the late 16th century