ignite
/ɪɡˈnaɪt/
verb
Origin
Latin
ignire — to set on fire
Overview
Meaning Now
- To catch fire or cause to catch fire.
- To arouse or inflame emotions or a situation.
Literal older meaning
to set on fire
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
ignited
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The verb entered English via the Latin 'ignire', derived from 'ignis' (fire). It was initially used in technical or alchemical contexts before entering general usage for literal fire and later figurative applications.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*h₁n̥gʷnis
“fire”
- Latin
ignis
“fire”
Noun form
- Latin
ignitus
“having been set on fire”
Past participle of ignire
- Early Modern English
ignite
“to kindle or set on fire”
Back-formation from the past participle 'ignited'
Connections
Word parts
ign-
root
fire
-ite
suffix
verbalizing suffix
Related across languages
Latin
ignis
fire
Sanskrit
agni
fire
Lithuanian
ugnis
fire
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Related to ignite
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.