ig ‧ nite /ɪɡˈnaɪt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of ignire 'to cause to start burning' , from ignis 'fire' ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] formal to start burning, or to make something start burning:
The petrol tank suddenly ignited.
The candle ignited the plastic.
2 . [transitive] to start a dangerous situation, angry argument etc:
events which ignited the war in Europe