from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Flame \Flame\ (fl[=a]m), n. [OE. flame, flaume, flaumbe, OF.
flame, flambe, F. flamme, fr. L. flamma, fr. flamma, fr.
flagrare to burn. See {Flagrant}, and cf. {Flamneau},
{Flamingo}.]
1. A stream of burning vapor or gas, emitting light and heat;
darting or streaming fire; a blaze; a fire.
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2. Burning zeal or passion; elevated and noble enthusiasm;
glowing imagination; passionate excitement or anger. "In a
flame of zeal severe." --Milton.
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Where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow.
--Pope.
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Smit with the love of sister arts we came,
And met congenial, mingling flame with flame.
--Pope.
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3. Ardor of affection; the passion of love. --Coleridge.
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4. A person beloved; a sweetheart. --Thackeray.
Syn: Blaze; brightness; ardor. See {Blaze}.
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{Flame bridge}, a bridge wall. See {Bridge}, n., 5.
{Flame color}, brilliant orange or yellow. --B. Jonson.
{Flame engine}, an early name for the gas engine.
{Flame manometer}, an instrument, invented by Koenig, to
obtain graphic representation of the action of the human
vocal organs. See {Manometer}.
{Flame reaction} (Chem.), a method of testing for the
presence of certain elements by the characteristic color
imparted to a flame; as, sodium colors a flame yellow,
potassium violet, lithium crimson, boracic acid green,
etc. Cf. {Spectrum analysis}, under {Spectrum}.
{Flame tree} (Bot.), a tree with showy scarlet flowers, as
the {Rhododendron arboreum} in India, and the
{Brachychiton acerifolium} of Australia.
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