balefire

[beyl-fahy^uhr]

noun

1. a large fire in the open air; bonfire.

2. a signal fire; beacon.

3. the fire of a funeral pile.

balefire

/ ˈbeɪlˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a bonfire

2. a beacon fire

3. a funeral pyre

Word History and Origins

Origin of balefire¹

1250–1300; Middle English bal ( e ) fir, equivalent to bale (< Old Norse bāl funeral pyre) + fire fire; replacing Old English bǣlfȳr

Word History and Origins

Origin of balefire¹

C14 bale , from Old English bǣl pyre; related to Old Norse bāl flame, pyre, Sanskrit bhāla brightness

Example Sentences

Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide The glaring balefires blaze no more.

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A single window in the wing gleamed like a balefire in the rays of the setting sun.

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Nay, even such a birth hath Venus of her own, a second Paris, another balefire for Troy towers reborn.'

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Up to the window the company crowded, and they could see the balefire blazing hotly against the cool light of the moon and the widely sprinkled stars.

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Like a balefire should the flame go up that says the king is dead.

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Related Words

• flare 
• lantern 
• radar