Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
- Pages
- 1,538
- Illustrations
- 2,133
Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Fire, n. p. 514The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of bodies, or that active natural process by which burning bodies are decomposed with the evolution of heat and light; combustion; state of ignition.…Fire, v. t. p. 514To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile. 2. To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire with anger or revenge. “Then soonest fired with zeal.” Milton. 3.…Fire, v. i. p. 514To take fire; to be kindled; to kindle. 2. To be irritated or inflamed with passion. 3. To discharge artillery or fire-arms; as, they fired on the town. To fire up, to grow irritated or angry. “He .…Fire'-a-lärm', n. p. 514An alarm given of a fire or conflagration. 2. An apparatus for giving or communicating an alarm of fire, as by telegraphic signals.Fire'-an-ni'hi-lā'tor, n. p. 514A contrivance for extinguishing fires by means of large volumes of gases and steam poured forth from a hollow vessel, in which a chemical composition has been ignited.Fire'-ārm, n. p. 514A weapon which acts by the force of gunpowder.Fire′-ār′rōw, n. p. 514A small iron dart, furnished with a match impregnated with powder and sulphur, used to fire the sails of ships.Fire'-ball, n. p. 514(Mil.) 1. A ball filled with powder or other combustibles, intended to be thrown among enemies, and to injure by explosion; also to set fire to their works and light these up, so that movements may…Fire'-bal-lōon', n. p. 514A balloon raised in the air by the buoyancy of air heated by a fire placed in the lower part. 2. A balloon sent up at night with fire-works which ignite at a regulated height. Simmonds.Fire'-bāre, n. p. 514A beacon. [Obs.] Burritt.Fire'-bàr'rel, n. p. 514A hollow cylinder, filled with various kinds of combustibles, used in fire-ships, to convey the fire to the shrouds.Fire'-bārs, n. pl. p. 514The bars on which the fuel rests in the fire-box or furnace of a steam-engine.Fire'-băw'in, n. p. 514A bundle of brush-wood used in fire-ships.Fire'-blāst, n. p. 514A disease of plants and trees, in which they appear as if burnt by fire.Fire'-bōard, n. p. 514A chimney-board, used to close a fire-place in summer.Fire'-bōte, n. p. 514(Law.) An allowance of fuel, to which a tenant is entitled. [Eng.]Fire'-bŏx, n. p. 514The chamber of a steam-boiler in which the fire is placed. In a locomotive it is often of copper, surrounded by an iron case, leaving an intervening space for water. [See Illust. of Boiler.]Fire'-brānd, n. p. 514A piece of wood kindled or on fire. 2. One who inflames factions, or causes contention and mischief; an incendiary. Bacon.Fire'-brick, n. p. 514A brick capable of sustaining intense heat without fusion, usually made of fire-clay.Fire'-bridge, n. p. 514A partition in furnaces over which the flame, &c., passes to the flues.Fire'-brīēf, n. p. 514A circular letter desiring help for sufferers by fire. Cartwright.Fire'-brĭ-gāde', n. p. 514An organized and trained body of firemen, especially a corps in London, composed of men who are paid by fire insurance offices.Fire'-brūsh, n. p. 514A brush used to sweep the hearth.Fire'-bŭck'et, n. p. 514A bucket to convey water to engines for extinguishing fire.Fire'-clay, n. p. 514A kind of clay, chiefly pure silicate of alumina, capable of sustaining intense heat, and hence used in making fire-bricks.Fire'-cŏck, n. p. 514A cock or spout to let out water for extinguishing fire.Fire'-cōm'pa-ny, n. p. 514A company of men for managing an engine to extinguish fires.Fire'-crăck'er, n. p. 514A small paper cylinder, charged with a preparation of gunpowder, and furnished with a short fuse, which, being lighted, explodes with a loud report. Fire-crackers were originally imported from China…Fire'-crōss, n. p. 514A cross constructed of two fire-brands, and pitched upon the point of a spear, formerly used in Scotland as a signal to take up arms. To blow a trumpet, and proclaim a fire-cross to an hereditary . .…Fire'-dămp, n. p. 514The explosive carbureted hydrogen of coal-mines. See DAMP. Ure.Fire'-dŏg, n. p. 514A support for wood in a fire-place; an andiron.Fire'-drake, n. p. 514A fiery dragon. Beau. & Fl. 2. A fiery meteor; an ignis fatuus; a rocket. 3. A worker at a furnace or fire. B. Jonson.Fire'-eat'er, n. p. 514One who pretends to eat fire; hence, a fighting character; a hotspur.Fire'-ên/gine, n. p. 514An hydraulic or forcing pump for throwing water to extinguish fires.Fīre'-es-cāpe', n. p. 514A machine for escaping from the upper part of a building when on fire.Fire'-fānged, a. p. 514Dried up;—said of manure or compost when it assumes a baked appearance and ashy color from the heat generated by decomposition.Fire'-fāng'ing, n. p. 514State of being fire-fanged.Fīre'-flāire, n. p. 514(Ichth.) A fish of the ray kind, and of the genus Trygon (T. pastinaca); the trygon; sting-ray. Baird.Fire'-fly, n. p. 514(Entom.) A winged, luminous insect, as the Elater noctilucus, of South America, which emits a brilliant light from a yellow spot on each side of the thorax, and from other parts of the body; also…Fire'-guārd, n. p. 514A framework of iron wire, to be placed in front of a fire-place; a fender.Fire'-hōōk, n. p. 514A large hook for pulling down buildings in conflagrations.Fire'-in-sūr'ance, n. p. 514An indemnity against loss by fire, obtained by payment of a premium or small percentage — usually made periodically — to an insurance company. Simmonds.Fire'-ī/rons, n. pl. p. 514Utensils for a fire-place or grate, as tongs, poker, and shovel.Fire'-kiln, n. p. 514An oven or place for heating any thing. Simmonds.Fire'-less, a. p. 514Destitute of fireFire'-lock, n. p. 514A gun-lock, which is discharged by striking fire with flint and steel; hence, a musket furnished with such a lock.Fire'-man, n. p. 514A man whose business is to extinguish fires in towns; a member of a fire-company. 2. A man who tends the fires, as of a steam-engine.Fire'-mas'ter, n. p. 514An officer of artillery, who superintends the composition of fire-works. [Rare.]Fire'-new, a. p. 514Fresh from the forge; bright; quite new. Your fire-new stamp of honor is scarce current. Shak.Fire'-ŏf/fice, n. p. 514An office for making insurance against fire.Fire'-păn, n. p. 514A pan for holding or conveying fire; especially, the receptacle for the priming in a gun.Fire'-place, n. p. 514The part of a chimney appropriated to the fire; a hearth.Fire'-plug, n. p. 514A plug for drawing water from a pipe to extinguish fire.Fire'-pŏl/i-cy, n. p. 514The writing or instrument by which insurers engage to pay the insured for a loss sustained by fire. Simmonds.Fire'-pŏt, n. p. 514(Mil.) A small earthen pot filled with combustibles, used as a missile in war. 2. The part of a furnace in which the fire is made.Fire'-proof, a. p. 514Proof against fire; incombustible.Fire'-proof'ing, n. p. 514The act or process of rendering fire-proof. 2. Materials for rendering any thing fire-proof.Fir'er, n. p. 514One who sets fire to any thing; an incendiary.Fire'-screen, n. p. 514A movable screen to intercept the light or heat of the fire; a fire-guard. Clarke. 2. (Naut.) A screen of baize or flannel placed in the passage way from the powder magazine whenever this is opened.…Fire'-sĕt, n. p. 514A set of fire-irons, including, commonly, tongs, shovel, and poker. Simmonds.