flame

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   The visible part of fire

   The visible part of fire; a stream of burning vapour or gas, emitting light and heat.

   • The flames will then be joined together next week at Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, the home of the Paralympics, and the united flame will make its final journey to London for the opening of the 14th Paralympic Games next Wednesday.
2. 2

   A romantic partner or lover in a usually short-lived but passionate affair.

   • I could copy out yards of rhapsody to Lord George Poynings, her old flame, in which she addressed him by the most affectionate names.
3. 3

   An aggressively insulting criticism or remark.

   • Flames are, unfortunately, a fact of USENET life. It's a rare USENET regular who hasn't been shaken to the foundations with anger at something some jerk has posted.
4. ›+ 9 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A brilliant reddish orange-gold fiery colour.

      • [M]arked by myriad clouds of every sunset-colour - flame, purple, pink, green, violet, and all the tints of gold.
   2. 5

      A brilliant reddish orange-gold fiery colour. flame

      A brilliant reddish orange-gold fiery colour. flame:

   3. 6

      The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making

      The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making; the curl.

      • The cello has a two-piece back with a beautiful narrow flame.
   4. 7

      Burning zeal, passion, imagination, excitement, or anger.

      • in a flame of zeal severe
      • where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow
      • Till charming Florio, born to conquer, came And touch'd the fair one with an equal flame
   5. 8

      A variety of carnation.

      • The Gardeners divide it into Five Claſſes, which they diſtinguiſh by the Name of Picketees, Painted Ladies, Beazarts, Flakes, and Flames: […] the Flames have a red Ground always ſtrip’d with black or very dark Colours.
      • Sic flow’rs o’ sorts ane seldom sees, / Flecks, flames, bussards an’ picketees, / Wi’ strong carnations, like young trees, / To face the entry; […]
   6. 9

      Of a brilliant reddish orange-gold colour, like that of a flame.

   7. 10

      To produce flames

      To produce flames; to burn with a flame or blaze.

      • The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again.
   8. 11

      To burst forth like flame

      To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardour.

      • He flamed with indignation.
   9. 12

      To post a destructively critical or abusive message (to somebody).

      • I flamed him for spamming in my favourite newsgroup.

The neighborhood

• neighborflambé