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ignite

 - 3 dictionary results

ig⋅nite

[ig-nahyt] verb, -nit⋅ed, -nit⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to set on fire; kindle.
2. Chemistry. to heat intensely; roast.
–verb (used without object)
3. to take fire; begin to burn.

Origin:
1660–70; < L ignītus (ptp. of ignīre to set on fire, ignite), equiv. to ign(is) fire + -ītus -ite 2


ig⋅nit⋅a⋅ble, ig⋅nit⋅i⋅ble, adjective
ig⋅nit⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, ig⋅nit⋅i⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun


1. See kindle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ignite
ig·nite   (ĭg-nīt')   
v.   ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing, ig·nites

v.   tr.
    1. To cause to burn.

    2. To set fire to.

  1. To subject to great heat, especially to make luminous by heat.

  2. To arouse the passions of; excite: The insults ignited my anger.

v.   intr.
  1. To begin to burn.

  2. To begin to glow.


[Late Latin ignīre, ignīt-, from Latin ignis, fire.]
ig·nit'a·ble, ig·nit'i·ble adj., ig·nit'er, ig·ni'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

ignite 
1646 (implied in ignitable), from L. ignitus, pp. of ignire "set fire." Attested earlier as an adj. (1560). Ignition is from 1612, "act of heating to the point of combustion;" meaning "means of sparking an internal combustion engine" is from 1881.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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