fire

n.

1. Visible oxidation

   flame, conflagration, burning, blaze, campfire, pyre, bonfire, brush fire, signal fire, incandescence, devouring element, sparks, heat, glow, warmth, luminosity, combustion, flare, flare-up, inferno, holocaust, wildfire, blazing fire, hearth, ignition, scintillation, phlogiston.

2. The discharge of ordnance

   gunfire, shooting, firing, bombardment, volley, barrage, artillery attack, cannonade, cannonading, bombarding, rounds, explosion, shot, report, bombing, fusillade, sniping, mortar attack, salvo, shelling, blast, burst, shellburst, spray, discharge, detonation, drumfire, creeping barrage, artillery support, cross-fire, enfilade, broadside, curtain, curtain of fire, air support, air strike, firepower, antiaircraft fire, flak, ack-ack*; see also attack 1.

3. Fiery temperament

   dash, sparkle, verve, ardor; see enthusiasm 1.

catch (on) fire

go through fire and water

light (<em>or</em> </strong>build) a fire under

on fire

1. Burning

   flaming, blazing, fiery; see burning 1.

2. Excited

   full of ardor, enthusiastic, zealous; see enthusiastic 1, excited.

open fire

play with fire*

set fire to

set the world on fire*

under fire

fire

v.

1. To set on fire

   ignite, light, put a match to, set burning; see burn 2, ignite.

2. To shoot

   discharge, shoot off, set off, hurl; see shoot 1.

3. To dismiss

   discharge, let go, oust, give the ax*; see dismiss 2.

4. To animate

   inspirit, inspire, arouse, inflame; see excite 1, 2.