flame

/fleɪm/

/fleɪm/

Other forms: flames; flaming; flamed

The flame of a fire produces light and heat and often flickers or dances. As a verb, to flame is to be on fire or to flare up.

On the Internet, flame has a different meaning: to post or send aggressive, negative, or insulting messages in a public electronic forum. "Flame wars" are exchanges of such messages between individuals or parties and often occur behind a veil of anonymity. It's an appropriate term, given that inflammatory, which takes flame as its root, describes speech or action that tends to incite a heightened and negative response.

Definitions of flame

1. noun

   the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
   synonyms: fire, flaming

   types:

   blaze, blazing

   a strong flame that burns brightly

   flare

   a sudden burst of flame

   ignition

   the process of initiating combustion or catching fire

   spontaneous combustion

   ignition of a substance (as oily rags) resulting from an internal oxidation process

   type of:

   burning, combustion

   a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light
2. verb

   be in flames or aflame
   “The sky seemed to flame in the Hawaiian sunset”

   type of:

   burn, combust

   undergo combustion
3. verb

   shine with a sudden light
   synonyms: flare

   type of:

   beam, shine

   emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light
4. verb

   criticize harshly, usually via an electronic medium
   “the person who posted an inflammatory message got flamed”

   type of:

   castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, objurgate

   censure severely