fire (faɪə
)
Definitions
noun
- the state of combustion in which inflammable material burns, producing heat, flames, and often smoke
- a mass of burning coal, wood, etc, used esp in a hearth to heat a room
- ((in combination) ⇒
firewood
firelighter
- a destructive conflagration, as of a forest, building, etc
- a device for heating a room, etc
- something resembling a fire in light or brilliance ⇒
a diamond's fire
- a flash or spark of or as if of fire
- the act of discharging weapons, artillery, etc
- the shells, etc, fired
- a burst or rapid volley ⇒
a fire of questions
- intense passion; ardour
- liveliness, as of imagination, thought, etc
- a burning sensation sometimes produced by drinking strong alcoholic liquor
- fever and inflammation
- a severe trial or torment (esp in the phrase go through fire and water)
- See catch fire
- See draw someone's fire
- See hang fire
- See no smoke without fire
- See on fire
- See open fire
- See play with fire
- See set fire to
- See set the world on fire
- See under fire
- (modifier) astrology of or relating to a group of three signs of the zodiac, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius Compare earth (sense 10) , air (sense 20) , water (sense 12)
verb
- to discharge (a firearm or projectile) or (of a firearm, etc) to be discharged
- to detonate (an explosive charge or device) or (of such a charge or device) to be detonated
- (tr) informal to dismiss from employment
- (tr) ceramics to bake in a kiln to harden the clay, fix the glaze, etc
- to kindle or be kindled; ignite
- (tr) to provide with fuel ⇒
oil fires the heating system
- (intr) to tend a fire
- (tr) to subject to heat
- (tr) to heat slowly so as to dry
- (tr) to arouse to strong emotion
- to glow or cause to glow
- (intr) (of an internal-combustion engine) to ignite
- (intr) (of grain) to become blotchy or yellow before maturity
- veterinary science another word for cauterize
- (intr) Australian informal (of a sportsman, etc) to play well or with enthusiasm
sentence substitute
- a cry to warn others of a fire
- the order to begin firing a gun, artillery, etc
Alternative Forms
ˈfireable adjective ˈfireless adjective ˈfirer nounWord Origin
Old English fӯr ; related to Old Saxon fiur , Old Norse fūrr , Old High German fūir , Greek purSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
passion,
force,
light,
energy,
heat,
spirit,
enthusiasm,
excitement,
dash,
intensity,
sparkle,
life,
vitality,
animation,
vigour,
zeal,
splendour,
verve,
fervour,
eagerness,
dynamism,
lustre,
radiance,
welly,
virtuosity,
élan,
ardour,
brio,
vivacity,
impetuosity,
burning passion
scintillation,
fervency,
pizzazz or pizazz
=
bombardment,
shooting,
firing,
shelling,
hail,
volley,
barrage,
gunfire,
sniping,
flak,
salvo,
fusillade,
cannonade,
=
criticism,
condemnation,
disapproval,
stick,
blame,
rebuke,
reprimand,
flak,
reproach,
dressing down,
reproof,
sideswipe,
castigation,
remonstrance,
reprehension,
=
let off,
shoot,
launch,
shell,
loose,
set off,
discharge,
hurl,
eject,
detonate,
let loose,
touch off,
=
dismiss,
sack,
get rid of,
discharge,
lay off,
make redundant
cashier,
give notice show the door give the boot
kiss off,
give the push give the bullet give marching orders give someone their cards give the sack to give someone his or her P45 kennet
jeff,
=
inspire,
excite,
stir,
stimulate,
motivate,
irritate,
arouse,
awaken,
animate,
rouse,
stir up,
quicken,
inflame,
incite,
electrify,
enliven,
spur on,
galvanize,
inspirit,
impassion,
=
set fire to,
torch,
ignite,
set on fire,
kindle,
set alight set ablaze put a match to set aflame
enkindle,
light,
Quotations
"Fight fire with fire"
"Fire is a good servant but a bad master"
"If you play with fire you get burnt"
"Out of the frying pan, into the fire"
Translations
- British English:
fire
Fire is the hot, bright flames that come from something that is burning.The fire destroyed the forest.faɪə NOUN The fire destroyed the forest.
- Spanish:
fuego
nm
- French:
feu
nm
- German:
Feuer
nnt Feuer
- Chinese: 火 n
- Arabic: نار n
- Portuguese: fogo nm
- Russian: огонь nm
- Croatian: vatra nf
- Czech: oheň nm
- Danish: ild nutr
- Dutch: vuur nnt
- Finnish: tuli n
- Greek: φωτιά nf
- Italian: incendio nm
- Japanese: 火 n
- Korean: 불 n
- Norwegian: bål nm
- Polish: ogień nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: fogo nm
- European Spanish:
fuego
nm
- Swedish: eld nutr
- Thai: ไฟ n
- Turkish: yangın n
- Vietnamese: lửa n
Usage examples
Ellimere sighed and followed him, and both disappeared into the darkness behind the fire.
, LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)A highlight is the unique set of photgraphs of the interiors of Powerscourt, Co Wicklow, subsequently gutted by fire.
Country Life (2005)On October 22nd, 1995, a mobile home and its contents were set on fire and destroyed at Sandy Lane, Ardfert.
Irish Times (2002)ABOUT 350 people turned out yesterday for the funeral of two sisters killed in a house fire in Ayrshire seven weeks ago.
Glasgow Herald (2001)A Cry in the Night... The good stars met in your horoscope, Made you of spirit and fire and dew.
, NANCY WAKE (2002)