| v. t. | 1. | To kindle or set on fire; |
| 2. | (Chem.) To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat strongly; - often said of incombustible or infusible substances; | |
| v. i. | 1. | To take fire; to begin to burn. |
| Verb | 1. | ignite - cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat; "Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter"; "Light a cigarette" Synonyms: light Antonyms: blow out, extinguish, quench, snuff out - put out, as of fires, flames, or lights; "Too big to be extinguished at once, the forest fires at best could be contained"; "quench the flames"; "snuff out the candles" |
| 2. | ignite - start to burn or burst into flames; "Marsh gases ignited suddenly"; "The oily rags combusted spontaneously" | |
| 3. | ignite - arouse or excite feelings and passions; "The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor"; "The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world"; "Wake old feelings of hatred" |