fire

fire / fīr/ • n. 1. combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke. ∎  one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology. ∎  a destructive burning of something: a fire at a hotel. ∎  a collection of fuel, esp. wood or coal, burned in a controlled way to provide heat or a means for cooking: our kettle was kept constantly on the fire. ∎  a burning sensation in the body: the whiskey lit a fire in the back of his throat. ∎  fervent or passionate emotion or enthusiasm: the fire of their religious conviction. 2. the shooting of projectiles from weapons, esp. bullets from guns: a burst of machine-gun fire. ∎  strong criticism or antagonism: he directed his fire against policies promoting capital flight. • v. [tr.] 1. discharge a gun or other weapon in order to explosively propel (a bullet or projectile). ∎  discharge (a gun or other weapon). [intr.] troops fired on crowds. ∎  [intr.] (of a gun) be discharged. ∎  direct (questions or statements, esp. unwelcome ones) toward someone in rapid succession: they fired questions at me for what seemed like ages. ∎  (fire something off) send a message aggressively: he fired off a series of letters. 2. inf. dismiss (an employee) from a job: having to fire men who've been with me for years you're fired! 3. supply (a furnace, engine, boiler, or power station) with fuel. ∎  [intr.] (of an internal combustion engine, or a cylinder in one) undergo ignition of its fuel when started. 4. stimulate or excite (the imagination or an emotion): India fired my imagination. ∎  fill (someone) with enthusiasm: in the locker room they were really fired up. 5. bake or dry (pottery, bricks, etc.) in a kiln. 6. start (an engine or other device): with a flick of his wrist he fired up the chainsaw. PHRASES: catch fire begin to burn. ∎ fig. become interesting or exciting: the show never caught fire. fire and brimstone the torments of hell: his father was preaching fire and brimstone sermons. fire away inf. used to give someone permission to begin speaking, typically to ask questions. go through fire (and water) face any peril. light a fire under someone stimulate someone to work or act more quickly or enthusiastically. on fire in flames; burning. ∎  in a state of excitement. set fire to (or set something on fire) cause to burn; ignite. set the world on fire do something remarkable or sensational: the film hasn't exactly set the world on fire. under fire being shot at: observers sent to look for the men came under heavy fire. ∎  being rigorously criticized: the president was under fire from all sides.