Definition of stew

• n. - A small pond or pool where fish are kept for the table; a vivarium.
• n. - An artificial bed of oysters.
• 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 stew meat; to stew oysters; to stew apples.
• v. i. - To be seethed or cooked in a slow, gentle manner, or in heat and moisture.
• v. t. - A place of stewing or seething; a place where hot bathes are furnished; a hothouse.
• v. t. - A brothel; -- usually in the plural.
• v. t. - A prostitute.
• v. t. - A dish prepared by stewing; as, a stewof pigeons.
• v. t. - A state of agitating excitement; a state of worry; confusion; as, to be in a stew.