What is Fire

1. 1. A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance.
   2. Burning fuel or other material: a cooking fire; a forest fire.
2. 1. Burning intensity of feeling; ardor. See synonyms at passion.
   2. 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. 1. The discharge of firearms or artillery: heard the fire of cannon.
   2. The launching of a missile, rocket, or similar ballistic body.
   3. 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.

v., fired, fir·ing, fires. v.tr.

1. 1. To cause to burn; ignite.
   2. To light (something) up as if by fire: The morning sun fired the tops of the trees.
2. 1. To add fuel to (something burning).
   2. To maintain or fuel a fire in.
   3. To start (a fuel-burning engine). Often used with up.
3. 1. To bake in a kiln: fire pottery.
   2. To dry by heating.
4. To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent. Often used with up: warriors who were fired by patriotism.
5. 1. To discharge (a firearm, for example).
   2. To detonate (an explosive).
6. 1. To propel (a projectile); launch (a missile).
   2. Informal. To throw with force and speed; hurl: fire a ball at a batter.
   3. To utter or direct with insistence: fired questions at the senator.
7. Games. To score (a number) in a game or contest.
8. To discharge from a position; dismiss. See synonyms at dismiss.

v.intr.

1. To become ignited; flame up.
2. 1. To become excited or ardent.
   2. To become angry or annoyed.
3. To tend a fire.
4. 1. To shoot a weapon: aimed and fired at the target.
   2. To detonate an explosive.
   3. 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.