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flame

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The definition of a flame is burning gas, fire or blaze, or a strong passion.

(noun)

An example of a flame is a fire from a lighter.
An example of a flame is an intense desire for a particular person.

Flame is defined as to burn or light up, or to criticize harshly.

(verb)

An example of flame is to light a match.
An example of flame is to continuously scream at someone.

See flame in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
1. a thing like a flame in heat, brilliance, etc.
2. brilliance or bright coloring
an intense emotion; strong passion
Informal a personal attack, harsh criticism, etc., specif. when communicated by e-mail
a sweetheart

Origin: ME < OFr flamme (< L flamma) & flambe < L flammula, dim. of flamma < base of flagrare, to burn: see flagrant

intransitive verb flamed, flaming

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

Origin: 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

See flame in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The zone of burning gases and fine suspended matter associated with rapid combustion; a hot, glowing mass of burning gas or vapor.
The condition of active, blazing combustion: burst into flame.
Something resembling a flame in motion, brilliance, intensity, or shape.
A violent or intense passion.
Informal A sweetheart.
Informal An insulting criticism or remark meant to incite anger, as on a computer network.

verb flamed flamed, flam·ing, flames

verb, intransitive

To burn brightly; blaze.
To color or flash suddenly: cheeks that flamed with embarrassment.
Informal To make insulting criticisms or remarks, as on a computer network, to incite anger.

verb, transitive

To burn, ignite, or scorch (something) with a flame.
Informal To insult or criticize provokingly, as on a computer network.
Obsolete To excite; inflame.

Phrasal Verb: flame out To fail: “Only a handful of companies have flamed out in the two decades since the birth of the [biotech] industry” (Rhonda L. Rundle).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman flaumbe

Origin: , variant of Old French flambe

Origin: , from flamble

Origin: , from Latin flammula

Origin: , diminutive of flamma; see bhel-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: