inflame
inflame
Definition
in·flame (in flame′)
transitive verb -·flamed′, -·flam′·ing
- to set on fire
- to arouse passion, desire, or violence in; excite intensely, as with anger
- to increase the intensity of (passion, desire, violence, etc.)
- to cause inflammation in (some organ or tissue)
Etymology: ME enflamen < OFr enflammer < L inflammare: see in- & flame
intransitive verb
- to become roused, excited, stimulated, etc.
- to catch fire
- to become hot, feverish, swollen, red, sore, etc.
in·flam′er noun
inflame
Synonyms
inflame
v.
inflame
Usage Examples
Object
- lining: People who have lots of asthma attacks usually have swollen, inflamed linings in their airways.
- tendon: Moving the inflamed tendon further inflames the sheath, which tightens onto the tendon, causing pain.
- gum: Open a capsule of vitamin E and rub the oil on inflamed gums to aid healing and alleviate pain.
- passion: The arrival of handsome river gypsy Johnny Depp further inflames passions.
- airway: The symptoms of asthma are narrowed and inflamed airways.
- tissue: The heat also has a soothing effect on the inflamed tissue.
Subject
- passion: It replaced a window destroyed in 1641 by a mob inflamed by puritan passions.
Adjective complement
- joint: Steroids are now used in three ways: by injection into an inflamed joint.
Modifying Another Word
- chronically: This is acutely & chronically inflamed granulation tissue seen within the superficial and middle zone of the ulcer base.
- acutely: Deep heat is not recommended for patients with acutely inflamed joints.
- severely: A severely inflamed small intestine cannot absorb vitamins and minerals efficiently, which can result in a deficiency.
- slightly: In a chronic condition the toe will appear slightly inflamed at the corner of the nail.
- so: The surgeon waited two days before he operated because the gall bladder was so inflamed.
- very: However his brain is now very inflamed, this inflammation has spread to the rest of his body.
Used with why or when
- when: The esophagus is not made to withstand acid and is thus irritated and inflamed when acid from the stomach refluxes into it.
Present participle complement
- cause: If exercise continues more damage occurs and the tissues become inflamed causing swelling and a dull throbbing sensation in the tendon.
Preposition: from
- overuse: One or more rotator cuff tendons may become inflamed from overuse, aging, a fall on an outstretched hand, or a collision.
Preposition: with
- lust: But his soul was inflamed with the lust of unbounded dominion.
- love: All were inflamed with love, grief, pity.
Preposition: by
- passion: It replaced a window destroyed in 1641 by a mob inflamed by puritan passions.
Browse dictionary entries near inflame
- infl.
- infix
- infirmity
- infirmary
- infirm
- infinity
- infinitude
- infinitive
- infinitesimally
- infinitesimal calculus
- inflamed
- inflammability
- inflammable
- inflammation
- inflammatory
- inflatable
- inflate
- inflated
- inflation
- inflationary
