inflame

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To set (something) on fire

   To set (something) on fire; to cause (something) to burn, flame, or glow; to kindle.

   • We should have made retreat / By light of the inflamed fleet.
   • Along the perimeter road the police car approached, headlamps inflaming the afternoon sunlight.
2. 2

   To intensify or kindle (a feeling, such as appetite or passion)

   To intensify or kindle (a feeling, such as appetite or passion); to excite to an excessive or unnatural action or heat.

   • to inflame desire
   • more, it seems, inflamed with lust than rage
   • But, O inflame and fire our hearts.
3. 3

   To provoke (a person) to anger or rage

   To provoke (a person) to anger or rage; to exasperate; to irritate; to incense; to enrage.

   • It will inflame you; it will make you mad.
   • To Edward […] he was terrible, nerve-inflaming, poisonously asphyxiating. He sat rocking himself in the late Mr. Churchill's swing chair, smoking and twaddling.
4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To put in a state of inflammation

      To put in a state of inflammation; to produce morbid heat, congestion, or swelling, of.

      • to inflame the eyes by overwork
   2. 5

      To exaggerate

      To exaggerate; to enlarge upon.

      • A friend exaggerates a man's virtues, an enemy inflames his crimes.
      • As you say, we passengers are to be taxed to pay all these fineries. I have often seen a good sideboard, or a marble chimney-piece, though not actually put in the bill, inflame a reckoning confoundedly.
   3. 6

      To grow morbidly hot, congested, or painful

      To grow morbidly hot, congested, or painful; to become angry or incensed.

      • You meditate upon the nerves, Inflame with hate. This ancient feud Is seldom won. […]

The neighborhood

• neighborinflammable
• neighborinflammation
• neighborinflammatory