† enfirev.
Obsolete.
1.
a. transitive. To set on fire.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > set on fire
inflamec1384
to set on firec1384
firec1425
incense1470
esprise1474
succend?a1475
embrase1480
to light upa1500
enfirea1522
ignifya1586
befire1613
incendiatea1701
to touch off1759
conflagrate1835
a1522 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid (1960) xiii. Prol. 13 The son enfyrit haill, as to my sight.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vii. 234 Th' Orbe of Flame..doth not enfire the frame.
b. To inflame.
ΚΠ
1545 T. Raynalde Womans Bk. 79 By the which the bloude is enfyred and chawfed.
2. figurative.
a. To kindle (a passion, zeal, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > affect with passion or strong emotion [verb (transitive)] > to rouse passion
wecchec900
lighta1413
esprise1490
enfire1603
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. i. xxxviii. 119 Great cares of sharpe desire Doe carefull man distract, torment, enfire.
1620 Bp. J. Hall Honor Married Clergie i. xii. 63 The touch of whom hath so much enfired his Ghostly zeale.
1652 E. Benlowes Theophila vi. xiv. 83 Fruition Love enfires.
b. To fire, inflame (a person) with anger, passion.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > ardent or fervent [verb (transitive)] > inflame (with) passion
annealeOE
ontendeOE
anheatOE
atend1006
tindc1175
firec1225
heat?c1225
inlowa1300
inflamea1340
eschaufec1374
flamec1380
kindlec1390
chafe1393
achafea1400
to set a firec1400
lighta1413
incense1435
scaldc1480
embrase1483
incend?1504
to set on fire?1526
enkindle1561
enfire1596
flush1633
boil1649
calenturea1657
infirea1661
1596 E. Spenser Hymne in Honour of Love xxv So hard those heavenly beauties he enfyred.
1855 R. C. Singleton tr. Virgil Aeneid i, in tr. Virgil Wks. I. 260 Cupid..with the presents should the raging queen Enfire.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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v.a1522