the bright, hot, moving part of fire that you can see
The campfire’s flame flickered in the night breeze.
Blow out the candle before the flame gets too high.
✦ From Latin ‘flamma’ meaning “fire.”
a person someone loves or used to love, especially in the phrase “old flame.”
Grace bumped into her old flame at the supermarket.
He wrote a letter to his high-school flame.
to burn with a bright, flickering fire
Logs flamed brightly in the mountain cabin’s hearth.
The torch flames even in the rain, guiding travelers along the path.
an angry or insulting message sent on the internet or by email
The forum moderator deleted the rude flame within minutes.
She received a nasty flame after sharing her opinion online.
to send or post an angry or insulting message to someone on the internet
If you disagree, explain politely—don’t flame people.
Some users started flaming the developer after the game crashed.
A localized reaction in body tissue to injury, infection, or irritation, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
The doctor diagnosed inflammation in my throat after examining it.
Applying ice can help reduce inflammation after a muscle strain.
✦ Late Middle English: via Old French from Latin inflammatio(n-), based on inflammare 'set on fire', from in- 'into' + flammare 'to flame'.
A condition of being inflamed, especially with strong emotion or excitement, such as anger.
The controversial decision sparked inflammation among the fans.
Public inflammation over the policy led to protests.
✦ Same as the physiological sense, extended metaphorically from the idea of 'setting on fire' with passion.
