flam

n. [ Cf. AS. fleám, fl&aemacr_;m, flight. √84 . Cf. Flimflam. ] A freak or whim; also, a falsehood; a lie; an illusory pretext; deception; delusion. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A perpetual abuse and flam upon posterity. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖a. [ F., p.p. of flamber to singe, pass (a thing) through flame. Cf. Flambeau. ] 1. (Ceramics) Decorated by glaze splashed or irregularly spread upon the surface, or apparently applied at the top and allowed to run down the sides; -- said of pieces of Chinese porcelain. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. a. [ F., p.p. of flamber to singe, pass (a thing) through flame. ] (Cooking) Dipped in or covered with a flammable liqueur and set afire when served; -- usually used postpositively; as, cherries flambe. [ PJC ]

n.; pl. Flambeaux r Flambeaus [ F., fr. OF. flambe flame, for flamble, from L. flammula a little flame, dim. of flamma flame. See Flame. ] A flaming torch, esp. one made by combining together a number of thick wicks invested with a quick-burning substance (anciently, perhaps, wax; in modern times, pitch or the like); hence, any torch. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. ] (Arch.) Characterized by waving or flamelike curves, as in the tracery of windows, etc.; -- said of the later (15th century) French Gothic style. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. flamboyer to be bright. ] (Bot.) A name given in the East and West Indies to certain trees with brilliant blossoms, probably species of Cæsalpinia. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Flamed p. pr. & vb. n. Flaming. ] [ OE. flamen, flaumben, F. flamber, OF. also, flamer. See Flame, n. ] 1. To burn with a flame or blaze; to burn as gas emitted from bodies in combustion; to blaze. [ 1913 Webster ]

The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardor. [ 1913 Webster ]

He flamed with indignation. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To kindle; to inflame; to excite. [ 1913 Webster ]

And flamed with zeal of vengeance inwardly. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. flame, flaume, flaumbe, OF. flame, flambe, F. flamme, fr. L. flamma, fr. flamma, fr. flagrare to burn. See Flagrant, and cf. Flamneau, Flamingo. ] 1. A stream of burning vapor or gas, emitting light and heat; darting or streaming fire; a blaze; a fire. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Burning zeal or passion; elevated and noble enthusiasm; glowing imagination; passionate excitement or anger. “In a flame of zeal severe.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Smit with the love of sister arts we came,
And met congenial, mingling flame with flame. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Ardor of affection; the passion of love. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A person beloved; a sweetheart. Thackeray.

Syn. -- Blaze; brightness; ardor. See Blaze. [ 1913 Webster ]

Flame bridge, a bridge wall. See Bridge, n., 5. --
Flame color, brilliant orange or yellow. B. Jonson. --
Flame engine, an early name for the gas engine. --
Flame manometer, an instrument, invented by Koenig, to obtain graphic representation of the action of the human vocal organs. See Manometer. --
Flame reaction (Chem.), a method of testing for the presence of certain elements by the characteristic color imparted to a flame; as, sodium colors a flame yellow, potassium violet, lithium crimson, boracic acid green, etc. Cf. Spectrum analysis, under Spectrum. --
Flame tree (Bot.), a tree with showy scarlet flowers, as the Rhododendron arboreum in India, and the Brachychiton acerifolium of Australia. [ 1913 Webster ]