flame
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flame (flām)
noun
- the burning gas or vapor of a fire, seen as a flickering light of various colors; blaze
- a tongue of light rising from a fire
- the state of burning with a blaze of light to burst into flame
- a thing like a flame in heat, brilliance, etc.
- brilliance or bright coloring
- an intense emotion; strong passion
- Informal a personal attack, harsh criticism, etc., specif. when communicated by e-mail
- a sweetheart
Etymology: ME < OFr flamme (< L flamma) & flambe < L flammula, dim. of flamma < base of flagrare, to burn: see flagrant
intransitive verb flamed, flaming flam′·ing
- to burn with a blaze of light; burst into flame
- to light up with color as if blazing; grow red or hot a face flaming with anger
- to show intense emotion; become very excited
Etymology: ME flammen < OFr flamer < L flammare
transitive verb
- Now Rare to burn or heat with flame
- to treat with flame
- Informal to attack or harshly criticize, as by e-mail
- Cooking to douse with alcoholic liquor and set afire flame the roast with brandy
flame out
in flames
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
flame
n.
Fire
blaze, flare, spark, flash, glare, glow, gleam, flicker; see also fire 1.Sweetheart
boyfriend, girlfriend, heartthrob, beau; see lover 1.
flame generally refers to a single, shimmering, tonguelike emanation of burning gas the flame of a candle; blaze suggests a hot, intensely bright, relatively large and steady fire a roaring blaze in the hearth; flicker suggests an unsteady, fluttering flame, esp. one that is dying out the last flicker of his oil lamp; flare implies a sudden, bright, unsteady light shooting up into darkness the flare of a torch; glow suggests a steady, warm, subdued light without flame or blaze the glow of burning embers; glare implies a steady, unpleasantly bright light the glare of a bare light bulb
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preposition: of
- candle: It was a day as perfect as the flame of a candle.
Converse of object
- extinguish: The most effective way to extinguish the flame of a candle is to use a candle snuffer.
Adjective modifier
- naked: Never put a naked flame near a charging battery nor allow any chance of a spark in the vicinity.
Modifies a noun
- retardant: BFRs are in widespread use as flame retardants in printed circuit boards, plastic cases and in some textiles.
Noun used with modifier
- candle: To protect the candle light flames from the wind, use purchased luminaries or shiny metal buckets.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
What things have we seen, Done at the Mermaid! heard words that have been So nimble, and so full of subtil flame, As if that every one from whence they came, Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest, And had resolv'd to live a fool, the rest Of his dull life.
His love was passion's essence:öas a tree On fire by lightning, with ethereal flame Kindled he was, and blasted.
And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead and with its head He went galumphing back. 'And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to myarms, my beamish boy! Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy.
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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MLA Style
"flame." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/flame>
APA Style
flame. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/flame
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