fire

fire ► NOUN 1) the state of burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and give out bright light, heat, and smoke. 2) an instance of destructive burning. 3) wood or coal burnt in a hearth or stove for heating or cooking. 4) (also electric fire or gas fire) Brit. a domestic heating appliance that uses electricity (or gas) as fuel. 5) a burning sensation. 6) passionate emotion or enthusiasm. 7) the firing of guns. 8) strong criticism. 9) one of the four elements (air, earth, fire, and water) in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology.

► VERB 1) propel (a bullet or projectile) from a gun or other weapon. 2) direct a rapid succession of (questions or statements) towards someone. 3) informal dismiss from a job. 4) supply (a furnace, power station, etc.) with fuel. 5) set fire to. 6) stimulate (the imagination or an emotion). 7) (fire up) fill with enthusiasm. 8) bake or dry (pottery, bricks, etc.) in a kiln.

● catch fire — Cf. ↑catch fire

● fire away — Cf. ↑fire away

● fire and brimstone — Cf. ↑fire and brimstone

● firing on all (four) cylinders — Cf. ↑firing on all four cylinders

● go through fire (and water) — Cf. ↑go through fire and water

● on fire — Cf. ↑on fire

● set fire to (or set on fire) — Cf. ↑set on fire

● set the world on fire — Cf. ↑set the world on fire

● under fire — Cf. ↑under fire

ORIGIN Old English.