■ noun
1》 a hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by something on fire.
2》 a thing compared to a ~'s ability to burn fiercely or be extinguished: the ~ of hope.
3》 a brilliant orange-red colour.
4》 informal a vitriolic or abusive email or newsgroup posting, typically one sent in quick response to another.
■ verb
1》 give off ~s.
↘set alight.
2》 (of an intense emotion) appear suddenly and fiercely.
3》 (of a person's face) become red with embarrassment or anger.
4》 informal send an abusive email to.
5》 ( ~ out ) (of a jet engine) lose power through the extinction of the ~ in the combustion chamber.
6》 ( ~ out ) informal, chiefly N. Amer. fail conspicuously.
Phrases
old ~ informal a former lover.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~r noun ( Computing, informal ).
flamy (also ~y ) adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~ (n.), ~r (v.), from L. flamma 'a ~'.