fire

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Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
fire/ˈfʌɪə(r)/
noun
  • 1 the state of burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and give out bright light, heat, and smoke.

    ■ a destructive burning.

    ■ one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology.

  • 2 a collection of fuel burnt in a hearth or stove for heating or cooking.

    chiefly Brit. (also electric fire or gas fire) a domestic heating appliance that uses electricity or gas as fuel.

  • 3 a burning sensation.

    ■ passionate emotion or enthusiasm.

  • 4 the firing of guns.

    ■ strong criticism.

verb
  • 1 propel (a bullet or projectile) from a gun or other weapon.

    ■ discharge (a gun or other weapon).

    ■ direct a rapid succession of (questions or statements) towards someone.

  • 2 informal dismiss from a job.
  • 3 supply (a furnace, power station, etc.) with fuel.

    ■ (of an internal-combustion engine) undergo ignition of its fuel.

    ■ set fire to.

  • 4 stimulate (the imagination or an emotion).

    ■ fill with enthusiasm: he was fired up for the Cup Final.

  • 5 bake or dry (pottery, bricks, etc.) in a kiln.
– phrases
catch fire begin to burn.
fire and brimstone the supposed torments of hell.
fire away informal go ahead.
firing on all (four) cylinders functioning at a peak level.
go through fire (and water) face any peril.
on fire
  • 1 burning.
  • 2 very excited.
set fire to (or set on fire) cause to burn.
set the world on fire do something remarkable or sensational.
take fire start to burn.
under fire
  • 1 being shot at.
  • 2 being severely criticized.
– derivatives
fireless adjective,
firer noun,
firing noun.
– origin OE fȳr (n.), fȳrian ‘supply with material for a fire’, of W. Gmc origin.
'fire' also found in these Oxford entries:

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