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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Etymology== [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle Eng...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Fire.jpg|right|frame]]
==Etymology==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Old English fȳr; akin to Old High German fiur fire, Greek pyr
*Date: before [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Century 12th century]
==Definitions==
*1 a (1) : the [[phenomenon]] of combustion [[manifested]] in [[light]], flame, and [[heat]] (2) : one of the four elements of the alchemists
:b (1) : burning [[passion]] : ardor (2) : liveliness of [[imagination]] : [[inspiration]]
*2 a : fuel in a [[state]] of combustion (as on a [[hearth]]) b British : a small gas or electric space heater
*3 a : a destructive burning (as of a building)
:b (1) : [[death]] or [[torture]] by fire (2) : severe [[trial]] or ordeal
*4 : brilliancy, luminosity <the fire of a gem>
*5 a : the firing of weapons (as firearms, artillery, or missiles)
:b : [[intense]] [[verbal]] [[attack]] or [[criticism]]
:c : a rapidly delivered series (as of remarks)
==Description==
'''Fire''' is the rapid oxidation of a [[material]] in the [[chemical]] [[process]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combustion combustion], releasing [[heat]], [[light]], and various [[reaction]] products. Slower oxidative [[processes]] like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition.
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame flame] is the [[visible]] portion of the fire and consists of [[glowing]] hot [[gases]]. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics) plasma]. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the [[color]] of the flame and the fire's [[intensity]] might vary.
Fire in its most common [[form]] can result in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflagration conflagration], which has the [[potential]] to [[cause]] [[physical]] damage through burning. Fire is an important [[process]] that affects [[ecological]] [[systems]] across the globe. The positive [[effects]] of fire include stimulating [[growth]] and maintaining various [[ecological]] [[systems]]. Fire has been used by [[humans]] for cooking, generating [[heat]], signaling, and propulsion purposes. The [[negative]] effects of fire include decreased [[water]] purity, increased [[soil]] erosion, an increase in [[atmospheric]] pollutants and an increased hazard to human life.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire]
[[Category: Chemistry]]
==Etymology==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Old English fȳr; akin to Old High German fiur fire, Greek pyr
*Date: before [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Century 12th century]
==Definitions==
*1 a (1) : the [[phenomenon]] of combustion [[manifested]] in [[light]], flame, and [[heat]] (2) : one of the four elements of the alchemists
:b (1) : burning [[passion]] : ardor (2) : liveliness of [[imagination]] : [[inspiration]]
*2 a : fuel in a [[state]] of combustion (as on a [[hearth]]) b British : a small gas or electric space heater
*3 a : a destructive burning (as of a building)
:b (1) : [[death]] or [[torture]] by fire (2) : severe [[trial]] or ordeal
*4 : brilliancy, luminosity <the fire of a gem>
*5 a : the firing of weapons (as firearms, artillery, or missiles)
:b : [[intense]] [[verbal]] [[attack]] or [[criticism]]
:c : a rapidly delivered series (as of remarks)
==Description==
'''Fire''' is the rapid oxidation of a [[material]] in the [[chemical]] [[process]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combustion combustion], releasing [[heat]], [[light]], and various [[reaction]] products. Slower oxidative [[processes]] like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition.
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame flame] is the [[visible]] portion of the fire and consists of [[glowing]] hot [[gases]]. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics) plasma]. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the [[color]] of the flame and the fire's [[intensity]] might vary.
Fire in its most common [[form]] can result in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflagration conflagration], which has the [[potential]] to [[cause]] [[physical]] damage through burning. Fire is an important [[process]] that affects [[ecological]] [[systems]] across the globe. The positive [[effects]] of fire include stimulating [[growth]] and maintaining various [[ecological]] [[systems]]. Fire has been used by [[humans]] for cooking, generating [[heat]], signaling, and propulsion purposes. The [[negative]] effects of fire include decreased [[water]] purity, increased [[soil]] erosion, an increase in [[atmospheric]] pollutants and an increased hazard to human life.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire]
[[Category: Chemistry]]