fire

[[t]faɪər[/t]]

n. v. fired, fir•ing

1) chem. a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame

2) a burning mass of material, as on a hearth or in a furnace

3) the destructive burning of a building, town, forest, etc.; conflagration

4) heat used for cooking, esp. the lighted burner of a stove:

Put the kettle on the fire[/ex]

5) cvb brit. a gas or electric heater used for heating a room

6) brilliance, as of a gem

7) burning passion; ardor; excitement

8) liveliness of imagination

9) severe trial or trouble; ordeal

10) a spark or sparks

11) the discharge of firearms:

enemy fire[/ex]

12) a luminous object

13) to set on fire

14) to supply with fuel; attend to the fire of

15) to subject to heat

16) cer to bake in a kiln

17) to heat very slowly for the purpose of drying, as tea

18) to inflame, as with passion; fill with ardor

19) to inspire

20) to light or cause to glow as if on fire

21) to discharge (a gun)

22) to project (a bullet or the like) by or as if by discharging from a gun

23) to subject to explosion or explosive force, as a mine

24) to hurl; throw:

to fire a stone through a window[/ex]

25) to dismiss from a job

26) to drive out or away by or as if by fire

27) to take fire; be kindled

28) to glow as if on fire

29) to become inflamed with passion; become excited

30) to shoot, as a gun

31) to discharge a gun

32) to hurl a projectile

33) bot (of plant leaves) to turn yellow or brown before the plant matures

34) phv fire away, to speak up, esp. immediately

35) phv fire off

a) to shoot from or as if from a weapon:

I fired off six shots with my camera[/ex]

b) to write and send off hastily

•

- catch (on) fire fight fire with fire on fire play with fire take fire under fire

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE fȳr (see pyro-) fir′er, n. fire′less, adj.