also sure-fire, by 1864, American English, from sure + fire (v.). Originally of rifles.

word-forming element meaning "of fire; of fire and; of igneous origin," from Latin igneus (see igneous).

also fire-works, "pyrotechnic contrivances," 1570s, from fire (n.) + works. Figurative use from 1660s.

also fire-proof, 1630s, from fire (n.) + proof. As a verb, from 1867. Related: Fireproofed; fireproofing.

1660s (trans.), "kindle or set on fire, cause to burn," from Latin ignitus, past participle of ignire "set on fire, make red hot," from ignis "fire" (see igneous). Attested earlier as an adjective (1550s). Intransitive sense of "catch fire, begin to burn" is from 1818. Related: Ignited; igniting.

"on fire," c. 1200, afure, from a- (1) "on" + fire (n.). Figurative use by late 14c.

late 14c., bonfir, banefire, "a fire in which bones are burned;" see bone (n.) + fire (n.). The original specific sense became obsolete and was forgotten by 18c. The general sense of "large open-air fire from any material for public amusement or celebration" is by mid-16c. and that of "large fire for any purpose" from 17c.

also camp-fire, "fire in a camp for warmth or cooking," 1835, from camp (n.) + fire (n.). In the GAR (Civil War Northern veterans' society), "a meeting or reunion of members of a post" (1874).

also fire-water, "alcoholic liquor," 1826, American English, supposedly from speech of American Indians, from fire (n.) + water (n.1).

also fire-bug, "arsonist, incendiary," 1869, from fire (n.) + bug (n.) in the "obsessed person" sense.