fire
fire
(fīr) noun
1.
a. A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance. b. Burning fuel or other material: a cooking fire; a forest fire.
2. a. Burning intensity of feeling; ardor. See synonyms at passion. b. Enthusiasm.
3. Luminosity or brilliance, as of a cut and polished gemstone.
4. Liveliness and vivacity of imagination; brilliance.
5. A severe test; a trial or torment.
6. A fever or bodily inflammation.
7. a. The discharge of firearms or artillery: heard the fire of cannon. b. The launching of a missile, rocket, or similar ballistic body. c. Discharged bullets or other projectiles: subjected enemy positions to heavy mortar fire; struck by rifle fire.
8. Intense, repeated attack or criticism: answered the fire from her political critics.
noun
, attributive.
Often used to modify another noun: a fire chief; fire prevention.
verb
fired, firing, fires
verb
, transitive
1.
a. To cause to burn; ignite. b. To light (something) up as if by fire: The morning sun fired the tops of the trees.
2. a. To add fuel to (something burning). b. To maintain or fuel a fire in.
3. a. To bake in a kiln: fire pottery. b. To dry by heating.
4. To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent: warriors who were fired by patriotism.
5. a. To discharge (a firearm, for example). b. To detonate (an explosive).
6. a. To propel (a projectile); launch (a missile). b. Informal. To throw with force and speed; hurl: fire a ball at a batter. c. To utter or direct with insistence: fired questions at the senator.
7. Games. To score (a number) in a game or contest.
8. Informal. To discharge from a position; dismiss. See synonyms at dismiss.
verb
, intransitive
1.
To become ignited; flame up.
2.
a. To become excited or ardent. b. To become angry or annoyed.
3. To tend a fire.
4. a. To shoot a weapon: aimed and fired at the target. b. To detonate an explosive. c. To ignite fuel, as in an engine.
5. Informal. To project or hurl a missile: The pitcher wound up and fired.
6. Physiology. To generate an electrical impulse. Used of a neuron.
7. To become yellowed or brown before reaching maturity, as grain.
phrasal verb.
fire away Informal
To start to talk or ask questions. fire off
1.
To utter or ask rapidly.
2.
To write and send (a letter, for example) in haste.
idiom.
between two fires
Being attacked from two sources or sides simultaneously.
on fire
1.
Ignited; ablaze.
2.
Filled with enthusiasm or excitement.
start a fire under
Slang
1.
light a fire under, build a fire under .
2. To urge or goad to action.
under fire
1.
Exposed or subjected to enemy attack.
2.
Exposed or subjected to critical attack or censure: an official who was under fire for mismanagement.
[Middle English fir, from Old English fr.]
fire
ʹable adjective
fir
ʹer noun