the event of something burning (often destructive); they lost everything in the fire'

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

[ Syn: firing ]

the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke; fire was one of our ancestors first discoveries

[ Syn: flame , flaming ]

a fireplace in which a relatively small fire is burning; they sat by the fire and talked'

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

feelings of great warmth and intensity; he spoke with great ardor

[ Syn: ardor , ardour , fervor , fervour , fervency , fervidness ]

fuel that is burning and is used as a means for cooking; put the kettle on the fire; barbecue over an open fire'

a severe trial; he went through fire and damnation'

intense adverse criticism; Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party; the government has come under attack; dont give me any flak

[ Syn: attack , flak , flack , blast ]

start firing a weapon

[ Syn: open fire ]

cause to go off; fire a gun; fire a bullet

[ Syn: discharge ]

bake in a kiln so as to harden; fire pottery'

terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position; The boss fired his secretary today; The company terminated 25% of its workers

[ Syn: displace , give notice , can , dismiss , give the axe , send away , sack , force out , give the sack , terminate ]

go off or discharge; The gun fired

[ Syn: discharge , go off ]

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

[ Syn: arouse , elicit , enkindle , kindle , evoke , raise , provoke ]

destroy by fire; They burned the house and his diaries

[ Syn: burn , burn down ]

provide with fuel; Oil fires the furnace

[ Syn: fuel ]