inflame

verb inflames · inflaming · inflamed · inflame

1. transitive To set (someone or something) on fire; to cause (someone or something) to burn, flame, or glow; to kindle. [Jesus, you] art the eternal Orator, vvhich both outvvardlie talkeſt to mankinde by thy Goſpel, and invvardlie in our harts inflameſt thy light vvhich is true confeſſion, faith, and comfort in thee: […]

   Similar: aflame, ignite, alight, conflagrate, fire, fire up, inflame, enkindle, light, light up, set ablaze, set afire

2. broadly, transitive To cause (something) to appear bright or red, as if on fire; to brighten, to redden. I vvill my ſelf conduct thee on thy VVay, / VVhen next the Southing Sun inflames the Day; / VVhen the dry Herbage thirſts for Devvs in vain, / And Sheep, in Shades, avoid the parching Plain.

   Similar: irritate

3. broadly, transitive To cause (the body or a body part) to feel abnormally or unusually hot; specifically (medicine), to cause inflammation, including abnormal heat, pain, redness, swelling, etc., in (the body or a body part). to inflame the eyes by overwork

   Similar: irritate

4. figuratively, transitive To cause (someone, or their heart, mind, etc.) to feel strong desire or other feelings; to excite (someone) to great passion; specifically, to cause (someone) to feel anger or rage; to anger, to enrage, to incense. You are not VVood, you are not Stones, but men: / And being men, hearing the VVill of Cæſar, / It vvill inflame you, it vvill make you mad; […]

   Similar: exasperate, irritate, affront, aggravate, anger, antagonize, awrath, burn up, cheese off, cross, embitter, envenom · Opposite: disinflame

5. figuratively, transitive To excite or intensify (a feeling, such as an appetite or passion), especially to an excessive or unnatural level. to inflame desire

   Similar: aflame, arouse, kindle, provoke, abet, actuate, goose, fuel, light a fire under, send, sting, bring about

6. figuratively, transitive To cause (something intangible, such as a dispute or violence, or hunger or thirst) to become more serious or worse; to aggravate, to exacerbate. They often drank of this stream, which had such a particular quality in it, that though it refreshed them for a time, it rather inflamed than quenched their thirst.
7. figuratively, obsolete, transitive To increase (the price or quantity of something). [T]his new corporation of druggists had inflamed the bills of mortality, and puzzled the college of physicians with diseases, for which they neither knew a name or cure.
8. intransitive To burst into flames, to catch fire. [A]s the Oile vvaſteth, and deſcendeth, ſo the Top of the Turret, by little and little, filleth vvith Aire; vvhich is cauſed by the Rarefaction of the Oile by the Heat. It vvere vvorthy the Obſeruation, to make a Hole, in the Top of the Turret, and to trie, vvhen the Oile is almoſt conſumed, vvhethe
9. broadly, intransitive Of a person's body or body part: to feel abnormally or unusually hot; specifically (medicine), to be affected by inflammation. [S]ometime the liuer of the Fox inflameth, and then it is not cured but by the vlcerous blood flovving to the skin, and that euill blood cauſeth the Alopecia, or falling avvay of the haire, for vvhich cauſe (as is already ſaid) a Foxes skin is little vvorth that is taken in the ſummer time.
10. broadly, intransitive, obsolete To become very hot. The vvind vvas favourable a vvhile; but ere long becalmed, vvhereby the ayre inflam'd, and Sea gave a fierie reflection; […]
11. figuratively, intransitive To feel strong desire or other feelings; to be passionate; specifically, to feel anger or rage. I fled, but he [Death] purſu'd (though more, it ſeems, / Inflam'd vvith luſt then rage) and ſvvifter far, […]