1. trans. To set on fire.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XIII. Prol. 13. The son enfyrit haill, as to my sycht.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vii. (1605–7), I. 234. Th’ Orbe of Flame … doth not enfire the frame.
b. To inflame.
1545. T. Raynold, Womans booke, 79. By the which the bloude is enfyred and chawfed.
2. fig. a. To kindle (a passion, zeal, etc.). b. To fire, inflame (a person) with anger, passion.
1596. Spenser, Hymn to Love, xxv. So hard those heavenly beauties he enfyred.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, I. xxxviii. (1632), 119.
| How great feares, how great cares of sharpe desire | |
| Doe carefull man distract, torment, enfire? |
1620. Bp. Hall, Hon. Mar. Clergie, I. § 12 (Wks. 1628), 752. The touch of whom hath so much enfired his ghostly zeale.
1652. Benlowes, Theoph., VI. xiv. 83. Fruition LOVE enfires.
1855. Singleton, Virgil, I. 260. Cupid … with the presents should the raging queen Enfire.
