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| Date: | 1600-1700 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | , past participle of ignire 'to cause to start burning', from ignis 'fire' |
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ig‧nite
1 [intransitive and transitive] formal to start burning, or to make something start burning : The petrol tank suddenly ignited. The candle ignited the plastic.
The petrol tank suddenly ignited.The candle ignited the plastic.2 [transitive] to start a dangerous situation, angry argument etc : events which ignited the war in Europe
events which ignited the war in EuropeWORD FOCUS: burn WORD FOCUS: burn
to be burning: be on fire, be ablaze, be alight
to start burning: catch fire, burst into flames, ignite
to make something start burning: light, set fire to something
to make something stop burning: put out, extinguish
to hurt or damage your skin with hot liquid or steam: scald
the crime of deliberately setting fire to buildings: arson
➔ See also burn
WORD FOCUS: burn to be burning: be on fire, be ablaze, be alight
to start burning: catch fire, burst into flames, ignite
to make something start burning: light, set fire to something
to make something stop burning: put out, extinguish
to hurt or damage your skin with hot liquid or steam: scald
the crime of deliberately setting fire to buildings: arson
➔ See also burn
