Fire
Definition of Fire
Pronunciation: fīr n. | 1. | The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of bodies; combustion; state of ignition. | | 2. | Fuel in a state of combustion, as on a hearth, or in a stove or a furnace. | | 3. | The burning of a house or town; a conflagration. | | 4. | Anything which destroys or affects like fire. | | 5. | Ardor of passion, whether love or hate; excessive warmth; consuming violence of temper.he had fire in his temper. - Atterbury. | | 6. | Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm; capacity for ardor and zeal. | | 7. | Splendor; brilliancy; luster; hence, a star. | | 8. | Torture by burning; severe trial or affliction. | | 9. | The discharge of firearms; firing; as, the troops were exposed to a heavy fire.Fire beetle | (Zool.) See in the Vocabulary. - Knight. |
Fire damp | See under Damp. - Milton. |
Greek fire | See under Greek. |
| v. t. | 1. | To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile. | | 2. | To subject to intense heat; to bake; to burn in a kiln; as, to fire pottery. | | 3. | To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge. | | 4. | To animate; to give life or spirit to; as, to fire the genius of a young man. | | 5. | To feed or serve the fire of; as, to fire a boiler. | | 6. | To light up as if by fire; to illuminate. | | 7. | To cause to explode; as, to fire a torpedo; to disharge; as, to fire a rifle, pistol, or cannon; to fire cannon balls, rockets, etc. | | 8. | To drive by fire. | | 9. | (Far.) To cauterize. | | 10. | to dismiss from employment, a post, or other job; to cause (a person) to cease being an employee; - of a person. The act of firing is usually performed by that person's supervisor or employer. | v. i. | 1. | To take fire; to be kindled; to kindle. | | 2. | To be irritated or inflamed with passion. | | 3. | To discharge artillery or firearms; as, they fired on the town. | to grow irritated or angry. - Macaulay. |
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