inflame Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause inflammation in
    • The repetitive motion inflamed her joint
  2. verb catch fire
    kindle.
    • The dried grass of the prairie kindled, spreading the flames for miles
  3. verb cause to start burning
    kindle; enkindle; conflagrate.
    • The setting sun kindled the sky with oranges and reds
  4. verb arouse or excite feelings and passions
    ignite; stir up; 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
  5. verb become inflamed; get sore
    • His throat inflamed

WordNet

In*flame" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. enflamen, OF. enflamer, F. enflammer, L. inflammare,inflammatum; pref.in- in + flammare to flame, fr.flamma flame. See Flame.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Inflamed ; present participle & verbal noun Inflaming
Definitions
  1. To set on fire; to kindle; to cause to burn, flame, or glow.
    We should have made retreat By light of the inflamed fleet. Chapman.
  2. Fig.: To kindle or intensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an excessive or unnatural action or heat; as, to inflame desire.
    Though more,it seems, Inflamed with lust than rage. Milton.
    But, O inflame and fire our hearts. Dryden.
  3. To provoke to anger or rage; to exasperate; to irritate; to incense; to enrage.
    It will inflame you; it will make you mad. Shak.
  4. (Med.) To put in a state of inflammation; to produce morbid heat, congestion, or swelling, of; as, to inflame the eyes by overwork.
  5. To exaggerate; to enlarge upon. Obs.
    A friend exaggerates a man's virtues, an enemy inflames his crimes. Addison.
    Syn. -- To provoke; fire; kindle; irritate; exasperate; incense; enrage; anger; excite; arouse.
In*flame" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To grow morbidly hot, congested, or painful; to become angry or incensed. Wiseman.

Webster 1913