| fireflaire | <zoology> A European sting ray of the genus Trygon (T. Pastinaca). Synonym: fireflare and fiery flaw. Origin: Fire + Prov. E. Flaire a ray. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| fireflame | <zoology> The European band fish (Cepola rubescens). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firefly | <entomology> Any luminous winged insect, especially. Luminous beetles of the family Lampyridae. The common American species belong to the genera Photinus and Photuris, in which both sexes are winged. The name is also applied to luminous species of Elateridae. See Fire beetle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fireplace | The part a chimney appropriated to the fire; a hearth; usually an open recess in a wall, in which a fire may be built. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firesetting behaviour | A compulsion to set fires. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fireside | A place near the fire or hearth; home; domestic life or retirement. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firetail | <zoology> The European redstart. Synonym: fireflirt. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fireweed | <botany> An American plant (Erechthites hiercifolia), very troublesome in spots where brushwood has been burned. The great willow-herb (Epilobium spicatum). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firewood | Wood for fuel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firework | 1. A device for producing a striking display of light, or a figure or figures in plain or coloured fire, by the combustion of materials that burn in some peculiar manner, as gunpowder, sulphur, metallic filings, and various salts. The most common feature of fireworks is a paper or pasteboard tube filled with the combustible material. A number of these tubes or cases are often combined so as to make, when kindled, a great variety of figures in fire, often variously coloured. The skyrocket is a common form of firework. The name is also given to various combustible preparations used in war. 2. A pyrotechnic exhibition. "Night before last, the Duke of Richmond gave a firework." (Walpole) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fireworm | <zoology> The larva of a small tortricid moth which eats the leaves of the cranberry, so that the vines look as if burned. Synonym: cranberry worm. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firing | 1. The act of disharging firearms. 2. The mode of introducing fuel into the furnace and working it. 3. The application of fire, or of a cautery. 4. The process of partly vitrifying pottery by exposing it to intense heat in a kiln. 5. Fuel; firewood or coal. Firing iron, an instrument used in cauterizing. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firkin | 1. A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons. 2. A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, used for butter, lard, etc. Origin: From AS. Feower four (or an allied word, perh. Dutch or Danish) + -kin. See Four. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firlot | A dry measure formerly used in Scotland; the fourth part of a boll of grain or meal. The Linlithgow wheat firlot was to the imperial bushel as 998 to 1000; the barley firlot as 1456 to 1000. Origin: Scot, the fourth part of a boll of grain, from a word equiv. To E. Four + lot part, portion. See Firkin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| firm | 1. Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood. 2. Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose; fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily changed in feelings or will; strong; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent. "Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow But firm battalion." (Milton) "By one man's firm obediency fully tried." (Milton) 3. Solid; opposed to fluid; as, firm land. 4. Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance. Synonym: Compact, dense, hard, solid, stanch, robust, strong, sturdly, fixed, steady, resolute, constant. Origin: OE. Ferme, F. Ferme, fr.L. Firmus; cf. Skr. Dharman support, law, order, dh to hold fast, carry. Cf. Farm, Throne. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |