aflame
Part of speech: adv
adj
verb
Morphological type: derivation
Etymology: Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂en-der.
Proto-Germanic *an
Proto-West Germanic *ana
Old English on
Middle English a-
Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-der.
Proto-Italic *flagmā
Latin flamma
Old French flame
Anglo-Norman flaumebor.
Middle English flawme
Middle English a-flame
English aflame
The adverb is derived from Late Middle English a-flame, from a- (prefix meaning ‘on’ forming adverbial phrases; or denoting being engaged in or occupied by an activity) + flame, flaume, flawme (“flame”). Flame, flawme is derived from Anglo-Norman flaumbe, flaume, and Old French flame, flambe, from Latin flamma, probably ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to blaze, burn (?); bright flame, fire (?)”). By surface analysis, a- (prefix meaning ‘at; in; on’ denoting a condition, manner, or state) + flame (noun).
The adjective is derived from the adverb, which is attested earlier.
Base: flame
Affixes: a-
Inflected forms:
form: more aflame
pos: adv
tags: comparative
form: most aflame
pos: adv
tags: superlative
form: more aflame
pos: adj
tags: comparative
form: most aflame
pos: adj
tags: superlative
form: aflames
pos: verb
tags: present
singular
third-person
form: aflaming
pos: verb
tags: participle
present
form: aflamed
pos: verb
tags: participle
past
form: aflamed
pos: verb
tags: past
Senses:
gloss: Often preceded by set: in or into flames; so as to be burned by fire.
pos: adv
examples: [T]hat blessed martyr, St. Thomas of Canterbury [Thomas Becket], sometime your predecessor, did withstand the unlawful requests of the prince of his time, but would still not only yield and bear with things not to be borne withal, but also set a-flame the fire already kindled— […]
Thou wert the baite that Paris gave the dame, / Who in reward, ſet ſtately Troy aflame.
gloss: Often preceded by set.
pos: adv
tags: figuratively
examples: The sky was soft and bright, but not so gorgeous as Kenyon had seen it, a thousand times, in America; for there the western sky is wont to be set aflame with breadths and depths of color, with which poets seek in vain to dye their verses, and which painters never dare to copy.
The low sun had set aflame the numerous windows of a large building which turned slowly, demonstrating one huge chimney, then another, as the train clattered by.
gloss: Often preceded by set.
pos: adv
tags: figuratively
examples: He who sent (If He sent) all those hearts aflame?
gloss: With flames coming from it; burning, flaming, in flames, on fire.
pos: adj
examples: Workmen employed in the alcohol plant rushed out, their clothing aflames^([sic – meaning aflame]) and many groping their way, blinded by the fire.
gloss: Having the colour of a flame.
pos: adj
tags: figuratively
examples: In autumn the trees are aflame with colour.
His rather large pointed ears were aflame as they were when he was pleasurably excited.
As the train rumbled slowly over the Forth Bridge, the western sky was aflame with a particularly gorgeous sunset, and lights were twinkling from the small craft riding at anchor on the calm waters of the firth.
gloss: In a state of great activity or emotion (anger, excitement, etc.).
pos: adj
tags: figuratively
examples: She said nothing and simply stared at him, eyes aflame.
[M]en and women all a-flame / For action, all alive, and forced to prove / Their life by living out heart, brain, and nerve, […]
As for myself, I am all aflame with curiosity, and I devote my whole energies to the business of discovery from this moment.
"No, it was n't foolish!" cried Helen, her eyes aflame. "You 've pushed back the boundaries; I think it splendid of you."
[T]he words lurking afar were not empty shells as they seemed, but were only waiting for the thought they already concealed to set them aflame and in motion.
My heart's aflame, my body's strained, but, God, I like it
gloss: Synonym of inflame (“to set (something) on fire; (figurative) to intensify or kindle (a feeling, such as appetite or passion); to intensify or kindle a feeling in (someone)”).
pos: verb
tags: transitive
examples: So that we might serve God, / confirmed from above, / she [the Holy Spirit] tests us with fire / and aflames us with love.
Through nights while great darkness, / I aflamed killed beasts' heads, […]
I had intended, […] to refresh my mind, wearied with long study, when a burning desire to read and learn aflamed me afresh …
gloss: Chiefly in the present participle: to be in flames or on fire; to blaze, to flare up.
pos: verb
tags: intransitive
examples: [A]s regards Prince Yusuf, when Ibn Ibrahim left him, he felt love-lowe aflaming in his heart, […]
She "believeth all things" and always gives him the benefit of the doubt. She "hopeth all things" will work out well, and keepeth that hope aflameth in her heart. (Yes, I'm having fun with this.)
concrete jungle fires / that mirror this unruly blaze / aflamed / in my heart
Derived words: set the world aflame
Translations: