inflammo

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ĩːˈfɫam.moː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [iɱˈflam.mo]^[1]

Forms

īnflammō (present infinitive īnflammāre, perfect active īnflammāvī, supine īnflammātum); first conjugation^[1]

Etymology

It is from in- and flammō “to blaze, set alight”, from flamma “flame”.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of setting on fire.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant to set on fire, kindle, and figuratively to fire with passion or desire, as in Cicero.^[2] Döderlein explains that accendere sets on fire from without at one point, incendere from within, and īnflammāre either way, but with bright flames.^[4]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to inflame, kindle, burn.^[5] It survives in Italian infiammare and Old French enflamer, which gave English inflame in the mid-14th century, first figuratively.^[1][6]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of setting on fire and inflaming.^[2][3]
• mid-14th century – English inflame is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Verb

1. To set on fire, kindle.^[2]
2. To inflame (with passion).^[2]

Word family

• īnflammātiō
• inflammatrix
• īnflammanter

Related words

• flammō
• flamma
• incendō
• English inflame

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from accendō and incendō.^[4]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com