fire

the event of something burning (often destructive)

• “they lost everything in the fire”

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

• “fire was one of our ancestors”

the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

• “hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes”
• “they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire”

a fireplace in which a fire is burning

• “they sat by the fire and talked”

intense adverse criticism

• “Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party”
• “the government has come under attack”
• “don”

feelings of great warmth and intensity

• “he spoke with great ardor”

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

a severe trial

• “he went through fire and damnation”

start firing a weapon

cause to go off

• “fire a gun”
• “fire a bullet”

bake in a kiln so as to harden

• “fire pottery”

terminate the employment of

• “The boss fired his secretary today”
• “The company terminated 25% of its workers”

go off or discharge

• “The gun fired”

drive out or away by or as if by fire

• “The soldiers were fired”
• “Surrender fires the cold skepticism”

call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

• “arouse pity”
• “raise a smile”
• “evoke sympathy”

destroy by fire

• “They burned the house and his diaries”

provide with fuel

• “Oil fires the furnace”