ignite Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
    light.
    • Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter
    • Light a cigarette
  2. verb start to burn or burst into flames
    catch fire; take fire; combust; erupt; conflagrate.
    • Marsh gases ignited suddenly
    • The oily rags combusted spontaneously
  3. verb arouse or excite feelings and passions
    stir up; inflame; heat; wake; fire up.
    • The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor
    • The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world
    • Wake old feelings of hatred

WordNet

Ig*nite" transitive verb
Etymology
L. ignitus, p.p. of ignire to ignite, fr. ignis fire. See Igneous.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ignited ; present participle & verbal noun Igniting
Definitions
  1. To kindle or set on fire; as, to ignite paper or wood.
  2. (Chem.) To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat strongly; -- often said of incombustible or infusible substances; as, to ignite iron or platinum.
Ig*nite" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To take fire; to begin to burn.

Webster 1913