verb (used with object), in·flamed, in·flam·ing.
- to kindle or excite (passions, desires, etc.).
- to arouse to a high degree of passion or feeling: His harangue inflamed the rabble.
- to incite or rouse, as to violence: His words inflamed the angry mob to riot.
- (of an emotion, as rage) to cause to redden or grow heated: Uncontrollable rage inflamed his face.
- to cause inflammation in: Her eyes were inflamed with crying.
- to raise (the blood, bodily tissue, etc.) to a morbid or feverish heat.
- to set aflame, ablaze, or afire; set on fire.
- to redden with or as with flames: The setting sun inflames the sky.
verb (used without object), in·flamed, in·flam·ing.
- to burst into flame; take fire.
- to be kindled, as passion.
- to become hot with passion, as the heart.
- to become excessively affected with inflammation.
verb
- to arouse or become aroused to violent emotion
- (tr) to increase or intensify; aggravate
- to produce inflammation in (a tissue, organ, or part) or (of a tissue, etc) to become inflamed
- to set or be set on fire; kindle
- (tr) to cause to redden
mid-14c., “to set on fire with passion,” from Latin inflammare “to set on fire, kindle,” figuratively “to rouse, excite,” from in- “in” (see in- (2)) + flammare “to flame,” from flamma “flame” (see flame (n.)). Literal sense of “to cause to burn” first recorded in English late 14c.