fires
/ˈfaɪərz/
noun/verb
Origin
Proto-Indo-European
*péh₂ur — fire
Overview
Meaning Now
- plural of fire: instances of combustion, or destructive burning events
- third-person singular simple present of fire: discharges a weapon or dismisses an employee
Literal older meaning
plural of fire
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
fȳr
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The word stems from a common Germanic root distinguishing the physical element from the 'flame' (Old English 'flamb'), emphasizing its role as a fundamental force.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*péh₂ur
“fire”
- Proto-Germanic
*fōr
“fire”
- Old English
fȳr
“fire”
- Middle English
fyr
“fire”
- Modern English
fire
“fire”
Connections
Word parts
fire
root
combustion
s
ending
plural or third-person singular
Related across languages
Old High German
fiur
fire
Old Norse
fúrr
fire
Explore next
Related to fires
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.