balefire

[ beyl-fahyuhr ]

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

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Balefire devoured, greediest spirit, those spared not by war out of either folk: their flower was gone.

From Project Gutenberg

This word was the last which the wise old man harbored in heart ere hot death-waves of balefire he chose.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flare
• lantern
• radar