Pronunciation: ig- ' n ī t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: ig · nit · ed ; ig · nit · ing
Etymology: Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire to ignite, from ignis
Date: 1666
transitive verb
1 : to subject to fire or intense heat especially : to render luminous by heat
2 a : to set afire also : KINDLE b : to cause (a fuel) to burn
3 a : to heat up : EXCITE <oppression that ignited the hatred of the people> b : to set in motion : SPARK < ignite a debate>
intransitive verb
1 : to catch fire
2 : to begin to glow
– ig · nit · abil · i · ty \ ig- ˌ n ī -t ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– ig · nit · able also ig · nit · ible \ - ' n ī -t ə -b ə l \ adjective
– ig · nit · er also ig · ni · tor \ - ' n ī -t ə r \ noun