fire (f r)n.
1.
a. A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance.
b. Burning fuel or other material: a cooking fire; a forest fire.
2.
a. Burning intensity of feeling; ardor. See Synonyms at passion.
b. Enthusiasm.
3. Luminosity or brilliance, as of a cut and polished gemstone.
4. Liveliness and vivacity of imagination; brilliance.
5. A severe test; a trial or torment.
6. A fever or bodily inflammation.
7.
a. The discharge of firearms or artillery: heard the fire of cannon.
b. The launching of a missile, rocket, or similar ballistic body.
c. Discharged bullets or other projectiles: subjected enemy positions to heavy mortar fire; struck by rifle fire.
8. Intense, repeated attack or criticism: answered the fire from her political critics.
v. fired, fir·ing, fires
v.tr.
1.
a. To cause to burn; ignite.
b. To light (something) up as if by fire: The morning sun fired the tops of the trees.
2.
a. To add fuel to (something burning).
b. To maintain or fuel a fire in.
c. To start (a fuel-burning engine). Often used with up.
3.
a. To bake in a kiln: fire pottery.
b. To dry by heating.
4. To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent. Often used with up: warriors who were fired by patriotism.
5.
a. To discharge (a firearm, for example).
b. To detonate (an explosive).
6.
a. To propel (a projectile); launch (a missile).
b. Informal To throw with force and speed; hurl: fire a ball at a batter.
c. To utter or direct with insistence: fired questions at the senator.
7. Games To score (a number) in a game or contest.
8. To discharge from a position; dismiss. See Synonyms at dismiss.
v.intr. Phrasal Verbs: 1. To become ignited; flame up.
2.
a. To become excited or ardent.
b. To become angry or annoyed.
3. To tend a fire.
4.
a. To shoot a weapon: aimed and fired at the target.
b. To detonate an explosive.
c. To ignite fuel, as in an engine.
5. Informal To project or hurl a missile: The pitcher wound up and fired.
6. Physiology To generate an electrical impulse. Used of a neuron.
7. To become yellowed or brown before reaching maturity, as grain.
fire away Informal
To start to talk or ask questions.
fire off Idioms: 1. To utter or ask rapidly.
2. To write and send (a letter, for example) in haste.
between two fires
Being attacked from two sources or sides simultaneously.
on fire
1. Ignited; ablaze.
2. Filled with enthusiasm or excitement.
start/light/build a fire under Slang
To urge or goad to action.
under fire 1. Exposed or subjected to enemy attack.
2. Exposed or subjected to critical attack or censure: an official who was under fire for mismanagement.
[Middle English fir, from Old English f
 r; see pa w in Indo-European roots.]fire
 a·ble adj.fir
er n.Word History: Primitive Indo-European had pairs of words for some very common things, such as water or fire. Typically, one word in the pair was active, animate, and personified; the other, impersonal and neuter in grammatical gender. In the case of the pair of words for "fire," English has descendants of both, one inherited directly from Germanic, the other borrowed from Latin. Our word fire goes back to the neuter member of the pair. In Old English "fire" was f
r, from Germanic *f r. The Indo-European form behind *fr is *pr, whence also the Greek neuter noun pr, the source of the prefix pyro-. The other Indo-European word for fire appears in ignite, which is derived from the Latin word for fire, ignis, from Indo-European *egnis. The Russian word for fire, ogon' (stem form ogn-), and the Sanskrit agni-, "fire" (deified as Agni, the god of fire), also come from *egnis, the active, animate, and personified word for fire. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
fire [faɪə]
n
1. the state of combustion in which inflammable material burns, producing heat, flames, and often smoke
2.
a. a mass of burning coal, wood, etc., used esp in a hearth to heat a room
b. (in combination) firewood firelighter
3. a destructive conflagration, as of a forest, building, etc.
4. a device for heating a room, etc.
5. something resembling a fire in light or brilliance a diamond's fire
6. a flash or spark of or as if of fire
7.
a. the act of discharging weapons, artillery, etc.
b. the shells, etc., fired
8. a burst or rapid volley a fire of questions
9. intense passion; ardour
10. liveliness, as of imagination, thought, etc.
11. a burning sensation sometimes produced by drinking strong alcoholic liquor
12. fever and inflammation
13. a severe trial or torment (esp in the phrase go through fire and water)
catch fire to ignite
draw someone's fire to attract the criticism or censure of someone
hang fire
a. (Military) to delay firing
b. to delay or be delayed
no smoke without fire the evidence strongly suggests something has indeed happened
on fire
a. in a state of ignition
b. ardent or eager
c. Informal playing or performing at the height of one's abilities
(Military)
open fire to start firing a gun, artillery, etc.
play with fire to be involved in something risky
set fire to or set on fire
a. to ignite
b. to arouse or excite
set the world or (Brit) the Thames or (Scot) the heather on fire Informal to cause a great sensation
(Military)
under fire being attacked, as by weapons or by harsh criticism
vb
1. (Military / Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) to discharge (a firearm or projectile) or (of a firearm, etc.) to be discharged
2. (Military / Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) to detonate (an explosive charge or device) or (of such a charge or device) to be detonated
3. (tr) Informal to dismiss from employment
4. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Ceramics) (tr) Ceramics to bake in a kiln to harden the clay, fix the glaze, etc.
5. to kindle or be kindled; ignite
6. (tr) to provide with fuel oil fires the heating system
7. (intr) to tend a fire
8. (tr) to subject to heat
9. (tr) to heat slowly so as to dry
10. (tr) to arouse to strong emotion
11. to glow or cause to glow
12. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) (intr) (of an internal-combustion engine) to ignite
13. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) (intr) (of grain) to become blotchy or yellow before maturity
14. (Medicine / Surgery) Vet science another word for cauterize
15. (intr) Austral informal (of a sportsman, etc.) to play well or with enthusiasm
sentence substitute
1. a cry to warn others of a fire
2. (Military) the order to begin firing a gun, artillery, etc.
fly1
fly2
fly3
[Old English fȳr; related to Old Saxon fiur, Old Norse fūrr, Old High German fūir, Greek pur]
| fly 1 (fl) v. flew (fl
 ), flown (fl n), fly·ing, flies (flz)v.intr.
1. To engage in flight, especially:
a. To move through the air by means of wings or winglike parts.
b. To travel by air: We flew to Dallas.
c. To operate an aircraft or spacecraft.
2.
a. To rise in or be carried through the air by the wind: a kite flying above the playground.
b. To float or flap in the air: pennants flying from the masthead.
3. To move or be sent through the air with great speed: bullets flying in every direction; a plate that flew from my hands when I stumbled.
4.
a. To move with great speed; rush or dart: The children flew down the hall. Rumors were flying during their absence.
b. To flee; escape.
c. To hasten; spring: flew to her students' defense.
5. To pass by swiftly: a vacation flying by; youth that is soon flown.
6. To be dissipated; vanish: Their small inheritance was quickly flown.
7. past tense and past participle flied (fl
d) Baseball To hit a fly ball.8. To undergo an explosive reaction; burst: The dropped plate flew into pieces. The motorist flew into a rage.
9. Informal To gain acceptance or approval; go over: "However sophisticated the reasoning, this particular notion may not fly" (New York Times).
v.tr.
1.
a. To cause to fly or float in the air: fly a kite; fly a flag.
b. Nautical To operate under (a particular flag): a tanker that flies the Liberian flag.
2.
a. To pilot (an aircraft or a spacecraft).
b. To carry or transport in an aircraft or a spacecraft: fly emergency supplies to a stricken area.
c. To pass over or through in flight: flew the coastal route in record time.
d. To perform in a spacecraft or an aircraft: flew six missions into space.
3.
a. To flee or run from: fly a place in panic.
b. To avoid; shun: fly temptation.
n. pl. flies Phrasal Verb: 1. The act of flying; flight.
2.
a. A fold of cloth that covers a fastening of a garment, especially one on the front of trousers.
b. The fastening or opening covered by such a fold.
3. A flap that covers an entrance or forms a rooflike extension for a tent or the canopy of a vehicle.
4. A flyleaf.
5. Baseball A fly ball.
6.
a. The span of a flag from the staff to the outer edge.
b. The outer edge of a flag.
7. A flywheel.
8. flies The area directly over the stage of a theater, containing overhead lights, drop curtains, and equipment for raising and lowering sets.
9. Chiefly British A one-horse carriage, especially one for hire.
fly at Idioms: To attack fiercely; assault: The dogs flew at each other's throats.
fly high
To be elated: They were flying high after their first child was born.
fly off the handle Informal
To become suddenly enraged: flew off the handle when the train was finally canceled.
let fly
1. To shoot, hurl, or release: The troops let fly a volley of gunfire.
2. To lash out; assault: The mayor let fly with an angry attack on her critics.
on the fly 1. On the run; in a hurry: took lunch on the fly.
2. While in the air; in flight: caught the ball on the fly.
[Middle English flien, from Old English fl
 ogan; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]fly
a·ble adj. |
| fly 2 (fl) n. pl. flies Idiom: 1.
a. Any of numerous two-winged insects of the order Diptera, especially any of the family Muscidae, which includes the housefly.
b. Any of various other flying insects, such as the caddis fly.
2. A fishing lure simulating a fly, made by attaching materials such as feathers, tinsel, and colored thread to a fishhook.
fly in the ointment
A detrimental circumstance or detail; a drawback.
[Middle English flie, from Old English fl
oge; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.] |
| fly 3 (fl) adj.
1. Chiefly British Mentally alert; sharp.
2. Slang Fashionable; stylish.
[Probably from fly.]
|
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
fly1
vb flies, flying, flew, flown
1. (intr) (of birds, aircraft, etc.) to move through the air in a controlled manner using aerodynamic forces
2. (Engineering / Aeronautics) to travel over (an area of land or sea) in an aircraft
3. (Engineering / Aeronautics) to operate (an aircraft or spacecraft)
4. to float, flutter, or be displayed in the air or cause to float, etc., in this way to fly a kite they flew the flag
5. to transport or be transported by or through the air by aircraft, wind, etc.
6. (intr) to move or be moved very quickly, forcibly, or suddenly she came flying towards me the door flew open
7. (intr) to pass swiftly time flies
8. to escape from (an enemy, place, etc.); flee he flew the country
9. (intr; may be foll by at or upon) to attack a person
10. (intr) to have a sudden outburst he flew into a rage again
11. (intr) (of money, etc.) to vanish rapidly
12. (Individual Sports & Recreations / Falconry) (tr) Falconry (of hawks) to fly at (quarry) in attack peregrines fly rooks
13. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (tr) Theatre to suspend (scenery) above the stage so that it may be lowered into view
(Government, Politics & Diplomacy)
fly a kite
a. to procure money by an accommodation bill
b. to release information or take a step in order to test public opinion
fly high Informal
a. to have a high aim
b. to prosper or flourish
fly in the face of See face [19]
fly off the handle Informal to lose one's temper
fly the coop US and Canadian informal to leave suddenly
go fly a kite US and Canadian informal go away
let fly Informal
a. to lose one's temper (with a person) she really let fly at him
b. to shoot or throw (an object)
n pl flies
1. (Clothing & Fashion) (often plural) Also called fly front a closure that conceals a zip, buttons, or other fastening, by having one side overlapping, as on trousers
2. (Non-sporting Hobbies / Other Non-sporting Hobbies) Also called fly sheet
a. a flap forming the entrance to a tent
b. a piece of canvas drawn over the ridgepole of a tent to form an outer roof
3. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) a small air brake used to control the chiming of large clocks
4. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) the horizontal weighted arm of a fly press
5. (History / Heraldry)
a. the outer edge of a flag
b. the distance from the outer edge of a flag to the staff Compare hoist [9]
6. (Engineering / Automotive Engineering) Brit a light one-horse covered carriage formerly let out on hire
7. Austral and NZ an attempt I'll give it a fly
8. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) Printing
a. a device for transferring printed sheets from the press to a flat pile
b. Also called flyhand a person who collects and stacks printed matter from a printing press
c. a piece of paper folded once to make four pages, with printing only on the first page
9. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (plural) Theatre the space above the stage out of view of the audience, used for storing scenery, etc.
10. Rare the act of flying
[Old English flēogan; related to Old Frisian fliāga, Old High German fliogan, Old Norse fljūga]
flyable adj
fly2
n pl flies
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any dipterous insect, esp the housefly, characterized by active flight See also horsefly, blowfly, tsetse fly, crane fly
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any of various similar but unrelated insects, such as the caddis fly, firefly, dragonfly, and chalcid fly
3. (Individual Sports & Recreations / Angling) Angling a lure made from a fish-hook dressed with feathers, tinsel, etc., to resemble any of various flies or nymphs: used in fly-fishing See also dry fly, wet fly
4. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) (in southern Africa) an area that is infested with the tsetse fly
drink with the flies Austral slang to drink alone
fly in amber See amber [2]
fly in the ointment Informal a slight flaw that detracts from value, completeness, or enjoyment
fly on the wall a person who watches others, while not being noticed himself
there are no flies on him, her, etc Informal he, she, etc., is no fool
[Old English flēoge; related to Old Norse fluga Old High German flioga; see fly1]
flyless adj
fly3
adj flyer, flyest Slang
1. Chiefly Brit knowing and sharp; smart
2. Chiefly Scot furtive or sneaky
3. Chiefly Scot in secret; sneakily
[of uncertain origin]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 6th Edition 2003. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
| fly (fl) Any of numerous insects of the order Diptera, having one pair of wings and large
|