wildfire
Noun
(
en noun)
A rapidly spreading fire, especially one occurring in a wildland area.
(historical) Greek fire, Byzantine fire.
A spreading disease of the skin, particularly erysipelas.
(figuratively) Something that acts quickly and uncontrollably.
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Quotations
* 1622 , Thomas Dekker and Philip Massinger, The Virgin Martyr
*: The. Do not blow,
*: The Furnace of a wrath thrice hot already;
*: Ætna is in my brest, wildfire burns here,
*: Which onely bloud must quench ...
* 1715 , Floyer, Edward Baynard, Psychrolousia. Or, the History of Cold Bathing: Both Ancient and Modern
*: Where are ''[...]'' the ''Aunts'' that do as much for their ''Nieces'', and make them caper and sparkle like Wildfire ?
* 1715 , Francisco de Quevedo, The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo
*: I slept very disturbedly, and had a quick high towring ''Pulse''; had strange ''Flashes'' in my ''Blood'', like Wild-fire , which I could perceive in my Face, Neck, Breast, and extream Parts .
Synonyms
* forest fire
Derived terms
* spread like wildfire
See also
* brushfire
* bushfire
* conflagration
References
* 1862 , Martim de Albuquerque, Notes and Queries .
* {{cite web , url = http://1911encyclopedia.org/Greek_Fire , title = Greek Fire , publisher = Classic Encyclopedia , date = 30 October 2006 , accessdate = 2008-12-23
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