flame Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
fire; flaming.
- fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries
verb shine with a sudden light
flare.
- The night sky flared with the massive bombardment
verb be in flames or aflame
- The sky seemed to flame in the Hawaiian sunset
verb criticize harshly, usually via an electronic medium
- the person who posted an inflammatory message got flamed

OE. flame, flaume, flaumbe, OF. flame, flambe, F. flamme, fr. L. flamma, fr. flamma, fr. flagrare to burn. See Flagrant, and cf. Flamneau, Flamingo.

A stream of burning vapor or gas, emitting light and heat; darting or streaming fire; a blaze; a fire.
Burning zeal or passion; elevated and noble enthusiasm; glowing imagination; passionate excitement or anger. "In a flame of zeal severe." Milton.
Where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow. Pope.

Smit with the love of sister arts we came, And met congenial, mingling flame with flame. Pope.
Ardor of affection; the passion of love. Coleridge.
A person beloved; a sweetheart. Thackeray. Syn. -- Blaze; brightness; ardor. See Blaze.

OE. flamen, flaumben, F. flamber, OF. also, flamer. See Flame, n.

imperfect & past participle Flamed ; present participle & verbal noun Flaming

To burn with a flame or blaze; to burn as gas emitted from bodies in combustion; to blaze.
The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. Shak.
To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardor.
He flamed with indignation. Macaulay.

To kindle; to inflame; to excite.
And flamed with zeal of vengeance inwardly. Spenser.