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Inflame

1. To set on fire; to kindle; to cause to burn, flame, or glow. We should have made retreat By light of the inflamed fleet. (Chapman)

2. To kindle or intensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an excessive or unnatural action or heat; as, to inflame desire. Though more,it seems, inflamed with lust than rage. (Milton) But, O inflame and fire our hearts. (Dryden)

3. To provoke to anger or rage; to exasperate; to irritate; to incense; to enrage. It will inflame you; it will make you mad. (Shak)

4. (Science: medicine) to put in a state of inflammation; to produce morbid heat, congestion, or swelling, of; as, to inflame the eyes by overwork.

5. To exaggerate; to enlarge upon. a friend exaggerates a man's virtues, an enemy inflames his crimes. (Addison)

Synonym: to provoke, fire, kindle, irritate, exasperate, incense, enrage, anger, excite, arouse.

Origin: oe. Enflamen, OF. Enflamer, f. Enflammer, L. Inflammare,inflammatum; pref.in- in _ flammare to flame, fr.flamma flame. See flame.