FIRE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does fire mean? 

• FIRE (noun)
  The noun FIRE has 9 senses:

1. the event of something burning (often destructive)

2. the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

3. the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

4. a fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning

5. once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)

6. feelings of great warmth and intensity

7. fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking

8. a severe trial

9. intense adverse criticism

  Familiarity information: FIRE used as a noun is familiar.

• FIRE (verb)
  The verb FIRE has 12 senses:

1. start firing a weapon

2. cause to go off

3. bake in a kiln so as to harden

4. terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position

5. go off or discharge

6. drive out or away by or as if by fire

7. call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

8. destroy by fire

9. provide with fuel

10. generate an electrical impulse

11. become ignited

12. start or maintain a fire in

  Familiarity information: FIRE used as a verb is familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FIRE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The event of something burning (often destructive)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

they lost everything in the fire

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

happening; natural event; occurrence; occurrent (an event that happens)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fire"):

forest fire (an uncontrolled fire in a wooded area)

smudge (a smoky fire to drive away insects)

smolder; smoulder (a fire that burns with thick smoke but no flame)

grassfire; prairie fire (an uncontrolled fire in a grassy area)

campfire (a small outdoor fire for warmth or cooking (as at a camp))

brush fire (an uncontrolled fire that consumes brush and shrubs and bushes)

balefire; bonfire (a large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration)

backfire (a fire that is set intentionally in order to slow an approaching forest fire or grassfire by clearing a burned area in its path)

conflagration; inferno (a very intense and uncontrolled fire)

Derivation:

fire (destroy by fire)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

fire; firing

Context example:

they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

attack; onrush; onset; onslaught ((military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fire"):

indirect fire (fire delivered on a target that is not itself used as the point of aim for the weapons)

antiaircraft fire (firing at enemy aircraft)

artillery fire; cannon fire (fire delivered by artillery)

unobserved fire (fire for which the point of impact (the bursts) cannot be observed)

suppressive fire (fire on or about a weapon system to degrade its performance below what is needed to fulfill its mission objectives)

supporting fire (fire delivered by supporting units to protect or assist a unit in combat)

searching fire (fire distributed in depth by successive changes in the elevation of the gun)

scheduled fire (prearranged fire delivered at a predetermined time)

registration fire (fire delivered to obtain accurate data for subsequent effective engagement of targets)

radar fire (gunfire aimed a target that is being tracked by radar)

preparation fire (fire delivered on a target in preparation for an assault)

observed fire (fire for which the point of impact (the burst) can be seen by an observer; fire can be adjusted on the basis of the observations)

neutralization fire (fire that is delivered in order to render the target ineffective or unusable)

interdiction fire (fire directed to an area to prevent the enemy from using that area)

harassing fire (fire designed to disturb the rest of enemy troops and to curtail movement and to lower enemy morale)

concentrated fire; massed fire (fire from two or more weapons directed at a single target or area (as fire by batteries of two or more warships))

barrage; barrage fire; battery; bombardment; shelling (the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target)

broadside (the simultaneous firing of all the armament on one side of a warship)

burst; fusillade; salvo; volley (rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms)

call fire (fire delivered on a specific target in response to a request from the supported unit)

cover; covering fire (fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations)

grazing fire (fire approximately parallel to the ground; the center of the cone of fire does rise above 1 meter from the ground)

counterfire (fire intended to neutralize or destroy enemy weapons)

counterpreparation fire (intensive prearranged fire delivered when the immanence of enemy attack is discovered)

crossfire (fire from two or more points so that the lines of fire cross)

destruction fire (fire delivered for the sole purpose of destroying material objects)

direct fire (fire delivered on a target that is visible to the person aiming it)

distributed fire (fire dispersed so as to engage effectively an area target)

fratricide; friendly fire (fire that injures or kills an ally)

hostile fire (fire that injures or kills an enemy)

Derivation:

fire (go off or discharge)

fire (start firing a weapon)

fire (cause to go off)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

fire; flame; flaming

Context example:

fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

burning; combustion (a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fire"):

blaze; blazing (a strong flame that burns brightly)

flare (a sudden burst of flame)

ignition (the process of initiating combustion or catching fire)

Derivation:

fiery (like or suggestive of fire)

fire (bake in a kiln so as to harden)

fire (destroy by fire)

fire (provide with fuel)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

they sat by the fire and talked

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

fireplace; hearth; open fireplace (an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fire"):

cookfire (a fire for cooking)

Derivation:

fire (destroy by fire)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

element (one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe)

Domain usage:

archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Feelings of great warmth and intensity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Synonyms:

ardor; ardour; fervency; fervidness; fervor; fervour; fire

Context example:

he spoke with great ardor

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

passion; passionateness (a strong feeling or emotion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fire"):

zeal (excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end)

Derivation:

fiery (characterized by intense emotion)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Context example:

barbecue over an open fire

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

fuel (a substance that can be consumed to produce energy)

Sense 8

Meaning:

A severe trial

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

he went through fire and damnation

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

trial; tribulation; visitation (an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Intense adverse criticism

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

attack; blast; fire; flack; flak

Context example:

don't give me any flak

Hypernyms ("fire" is a kind of...):

criticism; unfavorable judgment (disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings)

• FIRE (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Start firing a weapon

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

fire; open fire

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

blast; shoot (fire a shot)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

fire; firing (the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause to go off

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

discharge; fire

Context example:

fire a bullet

Cause:

discharge; fire; go off (go off or discharge)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fire"):

pop (fire a weapon with a loud explosive noise)

let drive; let fly; loose off (fire as from a gun)

blast; shoot (fire a shot)

fusillade (attack with fusillade)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

fire (the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy)

firing (the act of discharging a gun)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Bake in a kiln so as to harden

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

fire pottery

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

bake (cook and make edible by putting in a hot oven)

Domain category:

cookery; cooking; preparation (the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

fire (the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

can; dismiss; displace; fire; force out; give notice; give the axe; give the sack; sack; send away; terminate

Context example:

The company terminated 25% of its workers

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

remove (remove from a position or an office)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fire"):

retire (make (someone) retire)

pension off (let go from employment with an attractive pension)

clean out (force out)

furlough; lay off (dismiss, usually for economic reasons)

squeeze out (force out)

dismiss; drop; send away; send packing (stop associating with)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE

Antonym:

hire (engage or hire for work)

Derivation:

firing (the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart))

Sense 5

Meaning:

Go off or discharge

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

discharge; fire; go off

Context example:

The gun fired

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

fire (the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Drive out or away by or as if by fire

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

Surrender fires the cold skepticism

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

chase away; dispel; drive away; drive off; drive out; run off; turn back (force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 7

Meaning:

Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

arouse; elicit; enkindle; evoke; fire; kindle; provoke; raise

Context example:

evoke sympathy

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

create; make (make or cause to be or to become)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fire"):

draw (elicit responses, such as objections, criticism, applause, etc.)

interest (excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of)

overcome; overpower; overtake; overwhelm; sweep over; whelm (overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli)

bruise; hurt; injure; offend; spite; wound (hurt the feelings of)

shame (cause to be ashamed)

discomfit; discompose; disconcert; untune; upset (cause to lose one's composure)

anger (make angry)

excite (arouse or elicit a feeling)

excite; shake; shake up; stimulate; stir (stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of)

fire up; heat; ignite; inflame; stir up; wake (arouse or excite feelings and passions)

prick (to cause a sharp emotional pain)

infatuate (arouse unreasoning love or passion in and cause to behave in an irrational way)

rekindle (arouse again)

ask for; invite (increase the likelihood of)

strike a chord; touch a chord (evoke a reaction, response, or emotion)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 8

Meaning:

Destroy by fire

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

burn; burn down; fire

Context example:

They burned the house and his diaries

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

destroy; ruin (destroy completely; damage irreparably)

Verb group:

burn; incinerate (cause to undergo combustion)

burn; combust (undergo combustion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fire"):

scorch (destroy completely by or as if by fire)

torch (burn maliciously, as by arson)

cremate (reduce to ashes)

backfire (set a controlled fire to halt an advancing forest to prairie fire)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

They fire the trees

Derivation:

fire (a fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning)

fire (the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke)

fire (the event of something burning (often destructive))

Sense 9

Meaning:

Provide with fuel

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

fire; fuel

Context example:

Oil fires the furnace

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

furnish; provide; render; supply (give something useful or necessary to)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

fire (the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Generate an electrical impulse

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

the neurons fired fast

Hypernyms (to "fire" is one way to...):

generate (produce (energy))

Domain category:

physiology (processes and functions of an organism)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 11

Meaning:

Become ignited

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

fire; flame up

Context example:

The furnace wouldn't fire

Cause:

fire; ignite; light (start or maintain a fire in)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 12

Meaning:

Start or maintain a fire in

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

fire; ignite; light

Context example:

fire the furnace

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

I thought he had not the nerve to lie quiet before an alarm of fire.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Even as they looked, he lifted it to his shoulder and fired twice.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

You had, then, been sitting with your feet outstretched to the fire, which a man would hardly do even in so wet a June as this if he were in his full health.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They can fire me if they want to, but if they do, I'll quit.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

These I heated before the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed them till the husks came off, which I made a shift to winnow from the grain.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

This full moon is as sweet as sugar, and Mars will be supportive, for he is in Sagittarius, a fellow fire sign in ideal angle to your Sun and full moon.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

And beyond that fire, in the circling darkness, Buck could see many gleaming coals, two by two, always two by two, which he knew to be the eyes of great beasts of prey.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

I thought and thought what should be my next move, but my brain seemed on fire, and I waited with a despairing feeling growing over me.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

When we stopped for supper I couldn't muster courage to take any, though I should have liked it very much, but sat by the fire and said I didn't want anything.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)