English Explanatory Dictionary

wildfire

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A rapidly spreading fire, especially one occurring in a wildland area.
  2. Greek fire.
  3. A spreading disease of the skin, particularly erysipelas.
  4. Something that acts or spreads quickly and uncontrollably.

Pronunciation

/ˈwaɪldˌfaɪɚ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-wildfire.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Wodencafe-wildfire.wav

Word forms

wildfire wildfires

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English wilde fyr, wilde fire, wylde fyre, from Old English wilde fȳr. By surface analysis, wild + fire.

Synonyms

forest fire

Related words

conflagration

Derived words

spread like wildfire wildfire-fighter
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