fire, fir, fier, fur, fyr, fyer, fuyr

[A. S. fýr; cogn. with Dut. vuur; Icel. fyri; Dan. & Sw. fyr; Sw.feuer; Gr. pyr.] I. Ordinary Language: 1. Literally: (1) In the same sense as II. 1. "The bush burned with fire ."- Exodus iii. 2. (2) Fuel in a state of combustion; as in a furnace, a grate, . "And while the rest, a ruddy quire, Were seated round their blazing fire ." Words worth: Oak and the Broom . (3) Anything burning. "A little fire is quickly trodden out." Shakesp.: Henry VI ., Pt . III ., iv. 8. (4) A conflagration; the burning, as of a house or town. "There is another liberality to the citizens, who had suffered damage by a great fire ." -Arbuthnot: On Coins. 2. Figuratively : (1) A state of heat; glow of warmth. "The heavens were all on fire." Shakesp.: Henry IV., Pt. I. , iii. 1. (2) Anything which seems as if on fire; as a star. "By the fires of heaven." Shakesp.: Coriolanus , 1. 4. *(3) Torture by burning; hence, trouble, suffering, afflictions. "Did Shadrach's zeal my glowing breast inspire, To weary tortures, and rejoice in fire ." Prior: Charity, 7, 8. (4) The punishment of the damned. "Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire."-Matthew xxv. 41. (5) In the same sense as II. 2. (6) Flame, luster, light, brightne . "Stars, hide your fires , Let not night see my black and deep desires." Shakesp.: Macbeth , 1. 4. (7) Anything which provokes or inflames the pas sions. "What fire is in my ears? Can this be true? Stand I condemned for pride and scorn so much." Shakesp.: Much Ado about Nothing, iii. 1. (8) Heat, violence. "The raging fire of fever." Shakesp.: Comedy of Errors, v. (9) Ardor or violence of temper or pa ion; heat, pa ion. "I am glad that my weak words Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus." Shakesp.: Julius Cæsar , i. 2. (10) The pa ion of love. "Accused of yielding to the luring fire Of lawle love." Hoole: Orlando Furioso, bk. iv. (11) Liveline of imagination; vigor or force of fancy; force of sentiment or expre ion; power of genius; intellectual activity. "They have no notion of life and fire in fancy and in words, and anything that is just in grammar and in measure, is good oratory and poetry to them."- Felton : On the Cla ics. (12) An eruption or inflammation; as, St. Anthony's fire . II. Technically : [CONE.]