Definitions for igniteɪgˈnaɪt

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ig•nite^*ɪgˈnaɪt(v.)-nit•ed, -nit•ing.

(v.t.)to set on fire; cause to burn.
Chem. to heat intensely; roast.
Category: Chemistry
to arouse; kindle.
(v.i.)to catch fire; begin to burn.

^* Syn: See kindle.

Origin of ignite:

1660–70; < LL ignītus, ptp. of ignīre to set on fire, ignite, der. of L ignis fire

ig•nit`a•bil′i•ty(n.)

ig•nit`i•bil′i•ty(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

ignite, light(verb)
cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
"Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter"; "Light a cigarette"
erupt, ignite, catch fire, take fire, combust, conflagrate(verb)
start to burn or burst into flames
"Marsh gases ignited suddenly"; "The oily rags combusted spontaneously"
inflame, stir up, wake, ignite, heat, fire up(verb)
arouse or excite feelings and passions
"The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor"; "The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the world"; "Wake old feelings of hatred"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

ignite(verb)ɪgˈnaɪt
to set alight or be set alight
The flames ignited the paint on the bus.; as the dry wood ignited
igniteɪgˈnaɪt
to cause an argument or fight
violence that ignited protests across the country

Wiktionary

ignite(Verb)
to set fire to (something), to light (something)
ignite(Verb)
to spark off (something), to enthuse
ignite(Verb)
to commence burning.

Origin: From ignitus, past participle of ignio. Derived from ignis, from h₁ngʷni- and, thus, related to Sanskrit अग्नि, Lithuanian ugnis and Russian .

Webster Dictionary

Ignite(verb)
to kindle or set on fire; as, to ignite paper or wood
Ignite(verb)
to subject to the action of intense heat; to heat strongly; -- often said of incombustible or infusible substances; as, to ignite iron or platinum
Ignite(verb)
to take fire; to begin to burn