fire
fire /ˈfaɪr/
noun
-
(
)
The event of something burning (often destructive)
(
fire
)
the event of something burning (often destructive)
They lost everything in the fire
they lost everything in the fire
-
()
The act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
(
firing
, fire
)
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
Hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
They retreated in the face of withering enemy fire
they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire
-
()
The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
(
flaming
, fire
, flame
)
the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
Fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
-
()
A fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning
(
fire
)
a fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning
They sat by the fire and talked
they sat by the fire and talked
-
()
Feelings of great warmth and intensity
(
ardor
[American] , ardour
[Canadian, British] , fervency
, fervidness
, fervor
[American] , fervour
[Canadian, British] , fire
)
feelings of great warmth and intensity
He spoke with great ardor
he spoke with great ardor
-
()
Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
(
fire
)
once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
Ancient civilizations believed that fire was one of the primary elements of the universe.
Ancient civilizations believed that fire was one of the primary elements of the universe.
-
Intense adverse criticism
(
blast
, fire
, flack
, attack
, flak
[Informal] )
intense adverse criticism
Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
The government has come under attack
the government has come under attack
Don't give me any flak
don't give me any flak
-
A severe trial
(
fire
)
a severe trial
He went through fire and damnation
he went through fire and damnation
-
Fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking
(
fire
)
fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking
Put the kettle on the fire
put the kettle on the fire
Barbecue over an open fire
barbecue over an open fire
verb
-
()
Start firing a weapon
(
open fire
, fire
)
start firing a weapon
-
()
Cause to go off
(
discharge
, fire
)
cause to go off
Fire a gun
fire a gun
Fire a bullet
fire a bullet
-
()
(cooking) bake in a kiln so as to harden
(
fire
)
(cooking) bake in a kiln so as to harden
Fire pottery
fire pottery
-
()
Terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position
(
dismiss
, displace
, force out
, give notice
, give the axe
[Informal] , give the sack
, sack
, send away
, terminate
, can
[Informal, N. American] , fire
)
terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position
The boss fired his secretary today
The boss fired his secretary today
The company terminated 25% of its workers
The company terminated 25% of its workers
-
()
Go off or discharge
(
discharge
, go off
, fire
)
go off or discharge
The gun fired
The gun fired
-
()
Destroy by fire
(
fire
, burn down
, burn
)
destroy by fire
They burned the house and his diaries
They burned the house and his diaries
-
()
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
(
enkindle
, kindle
, fire
, arouse
, elicit
, evoke
, provoke
, raise
)
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
Arouse pity
arouse pity
Raise a smile
raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
evoke sympathy
-
()
Drive out or away by or as if by fire
(
fire
)
drive out or away by or as if by fire
The soldiers were fired
The soldiers were fired
Surrender fires the cold skepticism
Surrender fires the cold skepticism
-
Start or maintain a fire in
(
fire
, ignite
, light
)
start or maintain a fire in
Fire the furnace
fire the furnace
-
Become ignited
(
fire
, flame up
)
become ignited
The furnace wouldn't fire
The furnace wouldn't fire
-
(physiology) generate an electrical impulse
(
fire
)
(physiology) generate an electrical impulse
The neurons fired fast
the neurons fired fast
-
Provide with fuel
(
fire
, fuel
)
provide with fuel
Oil fires the furnace
Oil fires the furnace
