/ ɪgˈnaɪt; NAmE / verb
( formal ) to start to burn; to make sth start to burn :
[ v ]
Gas ignites very easily.
( figurative )
Tempers ignited when the whole family spent Christmas together.
[ vn ]
Flames melted a lead pipe and ignited leaking gas.
( figurative )
His words ignited their anger.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the sense make intensely hot ): from Latin ignire set on fire, from ignis fire.