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.