inflame

Everyday

1. To inflame feelings means to make people angrier or more excited. tree →
2. (medicine) When a body part is inflamed, it becomes red, swollen, hot and painful, often from infection or injury. tree →
3. (old) To inflame can mean to set on fire. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health, inflammation is the body's response to injury or germs: a cut that is red and swollen is inflamed. In news, a rude comment can inflame a situation and make an argument worse. In stories, a speech that inflames the crowd starts a riot. Phrases: inflame tensions, inflamed throat.

Examples

• His rude words inflamed the argument. tree →
• The splinter made my finger inflamed and sore. tree →
• Her throat was inflamed with tonsillitis. tree →
• The news inflamed the angry crowd. tree →
• Scratching the bite will only inflame it. tree →
• The referee's decision inflamed the fans. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: inflammation. Trap: «inflammable» means easily set on fire, the same as «flammable», not the opposite.

In Jewish tradition

It means to heat up with passion, whether lust at idol worship or drunken desire for wine.

Interpretation. Isaiah condemns idol worship and drunkenness, warning that giving in to desire leads people away from God and justice.

Examples

• Ye that inflame yourselves among the terebinths, under every leafy tree; that slay the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? (Prophets ISA.57.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that tarry late into the night, till wine inflame them! (Prophets ISA.5.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: inflammation. Trap: «inflammable» means easily set on fire, the same as «flammable», not the opposite.