1. n. A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
2. n. An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).
We sat about the fire singing songs and telling tales.
3. n. The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger.
There was a fire at the school last night and the whole place burned down.
During hot and dry summers many fires in forests are caused by regardlessly discarded cigarette butts.
4. n. (alchemy, philosophy) The aforementioned chemical reaction of burning, considered one of the Classical elements or basic elements of alchemy.
5. n. (British) A heater or stove used in place of a real fire (such as an electric fire).
6. n. The elements necessary to start a fire.
The fire was laid and needed to be lit.
7. n. The bullets or other projectiles fired from a gun.
The fire from the enemy guns kept us from attacking.
8. n. Strength of passion, whether love or hate.
9. n. Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm.
10. n. Splendour; brilliancy; lustre; hence, a star.
Press fire to fire the gun.
11. v. To set (something, often a building) on fire.
12. v. To heat as with fire, but without setting on fire, as ceramic, metal objects, etc.
If you fire the pottery at too high a temperature, it may crack.
They fire the wood to make it easier to put a point on the end.
13. v. To drive away by setting a fire.
14. v. To terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct or poor performance).
15. v. To shoot (a gun or analogous device).
We will fire our guns at the enemy.
He fired his radar gun at passing cars.
16. v. (intransitive) To shoot a gun, cannon, or similar weapon.
Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
17. v. (transitive, sports) To shoot; to attempt to score a goal.
18. v. (intransitive, physiology) To cause an action potential in a cell.
When a neuron fires, it transmits information.
19. v. To forcibly direct (something).
He answered the questions the reporters fired at him.
20. v. (ambitransitive, computer sciences, software engineering) To initiate an event (by means of an event handler).
The event handler should only fire after all web page content has finished loading.
The queue fires a job whenever the thread pool is ready to handle it.
21. v. To inflame; to irritate, as the passions.
to fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge
22. v. To animate; to give life or spirit to.
to fire the genius of a young man
23. v. To feed or serve the fire of.
to fire a boiler
24. v. To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.
25. v. (farriery) To cauterize.
26. v. (intransitive, dated) To catch fire; to be kindled.
27. v. (intransitive, dated) To be irritated or inflamed with passion.
