fire

A small fire from a lighter (2)

Meanings

Noun

Verb

  • To set (something, often a building) on fire.
  • To heat as with fire, but without setting on fire, as ceramic, metal objects, etc.
  • To drive away by setting a fire.
  • To terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct or poor performance).
  • To terminate a contract with a client; to drop a client.
  • To shoot (a gun, rocket/missile, or analogous device).
  • To operate a rocket engine to produce thrust.
  • To set off an explosive in a mine.
  • To shoot a gun, cannon, or similar weapon.
  • To shoot; to attempt to score a goal.
  • To cause an action potential in a cell.
  • To forcibly direct (something).
  • To initiate an event (by means of an event handler).
  • To inflame; to irritate, as the passions.
  • To animate; to give life or spirit to.
  • To feed or serve the fire of.
  • To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.
  • To cauterize.
  • To catch fire; to be kindled.
  • To be irritated or inflamed with passion.

Adjective

Related

Similar words

Origin

  • From Middle English fyr, from Old English fȳr, from Proto-West Germanic *fuir, from *fuïr, a regularised form of Proto-Germanic *fōr (compare Saterland Frisian Fjuur, West Frisian fjoer, Dutch vuur, Low German Füer, German Feuer, Danish fyr), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥.
  • Compare Hittite 𒉺𒄴𒄯, Umbrian pir, Tocharian A/B por/puwar, Czech pýř, Ancient Greek πῦρ, and Armenian հուր). This was an inanimate noun whose animate counterpart was Proto-Indo-European *h₁n̥gʷnis (see ignite). Cognate to pyre.
  • From Middle English firen, fyren, furen, from Old English fȳrian, from the noun (see above). Cognate with Old Frisian fioria, Saterland Frisian fjuurje, Middle Dutch vûren, vueren, vieren, Dutch vuren, Old High German fiuren, German feuern.

Modern English dictionary

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