2012 Word of the Year

¹flame \’flām\ n [ME flaume, flaumbe, fr. MF flamme (fr. L flamma) & flambe, fr. OF, fr. flamble, fr. L flammula, dim. of flamma flame; akin to L flagrare to burn – more at BLACK] (14c) 1 : the glowing gaseous part of a fire 2 a : a state of blazing combustion b : a condition or appearance suggesting a flame or burning as (1) : burning zeal or passion (2) : a strong reddish orange color 3 : BRILLIANCE BRIGHTNESS 4 : SWEETHEART

²flame vb flamed; flaming vi (14c) 1 : to burn with a flame : BLAZE . . . 3 : to shine brightly : GLOW

flame n 1 syn SWEETHEART 1, beloved, darling, dear, heartthrob, honey, honeybunch, love, leveling, turtledove

flame vb syn BLAZE, blare, flare, glare, glow

rel coruscate, glint; fire, ignite, kindle, light