aflame
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aflame¹
- /əˈfleɪm/ US, UK
Rhymes with -eɪm
Where it comes from
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂en-der.
Proto-Germanic *an
Proto-West Germanic *ana
Old English on
Middle English a-
Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-der.
Proto-Italic *flagmā
Latin flamma
Old French flame
Anglo-Norman flaumebor.
Middle English flawme
Middle English a-flame
English aflame
The adverb is derived from Late Middle English a-flame, from a- (prefix meaning ‘on’ forming adverbial phrases; or denoting being engaged in or occupied by an activity) + flame, flaume, flawme (“flame”). Flame, flawme is derived from Anglo-Norman flaumbe, flaume, and Old French flame, flambe, from Latin flamma, probably ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to blaze, burn (?); bright flame, fire (?)”). By surface analysis, a- (prefix meaning ‘at; in; on’ denoting a condition, manner, or state) + flame (noun).
The adjective is derived from the adverb, which is attested earlier.
adverb more aflame · most aflame
- Often preceded by set: in or into flames; so as to be burned by fire. [T]hat blessed martyr, St. Thomas of Canterbury [Thomas Becket], sometime your predecessor, did withstand the unlawful requests of the prince of his time, but would still not only yield and bear with things not to be borne withal, but also set a-flame the fire already kindled— […]
- In or into a colour like that of a flame. The sky was soft and bright, but not so gorgeous as Kenyon had seen it, a thousand times, in America; for there the western sky is wont to be set aflame with breadths and depths of color, with which poets seek in vain to dye their verses, and which painters never dare to copy.
- In or into a state of great activity or emotion (anger, excitement, etc.). He who sent (If He sent) all those hearts aflame?
adjective more aflame · most aflame
- With flames coming from it; burning, flaming, in flames, on fire. Workmen employed in the alcohol plant rushed out, their clothing aflames^([sic – meaning aflame]) and many groping their way, blinded by the fire.
- Having the colour of a flame. In autumn the trees are aflame with colour.
- In a state of great activity or emotion (anger, excitement, etc.). She said nothing and simply stared at him, eyes aflame.
aflame²
- /əˈfleɪm/ US, UK
Rhymes with -eɪm
Where it comes from
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *ud-s-?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂u-s-?
Proto-Germanic *uz-
Proto-West Germanic *uʀ-
Old English ar-
Old English ā-
Middle English a-
English a-
Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-der.
Proto-Italic *flagmā
Latin flammula
Old French flamble
Old French flambe
Proto-Italic *-āzi
▲
Latin -ereinflu.
Latin -āre
Old French -er
Old French flamberbor.
Middle English flawmen
English flame
English aflame
From a- (intensifying prefix) + flame (verb). Flame is derived from Middle English flamen, flaumben, flaumen, flawmen (“to emit flames, blaze; to shine like fire, gleam; to arouse (an emotion), kindle; to give off (an odour); of an odour: to issue; (cooking) to baste (meat) with grease; to glaze (pastry)”), from Anglo-Norman flaumber, flaumer, and Old French flamber, flammer (“to blaze, burn”) (modern French flamber), from flambe, flamme (“flame”, noun) + -er (variant of -ier (suffix forming verbs)). Flamme is derived from Latin flamma (“fire; flame”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-, bʰl̥g- (“to blaze, burn; to glow, shine; to be bright or brightly coloured (?); bright flame, fire (?)”).
verb aflames · aflaming · aflamed
- Synonym of inflame (“to set (something) on fire; (figurative) to intensify or kindle (a feeling, such as appetite or passion); to intensify or kindle a feeling in (someone)”). So that we might serve God, / confirmed from above, / she [the Holy Spirit] tests us with fire / and aflames us with love.
- Chiefly in the present participle: to be in flames or on fire; to blaze, to flare up. [A]s regards Prince Yusuf, when Ibn Ibrahim left him, he felt love-lowe aflaming in his heart, […]
