conflagration

[kon-fluh-grey-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR conflagration ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a destructive fire, usually an extensive one.

Origin of conflagration

1545–55; < Latin conflagrātiōn- (stem of conflagrātiō), equivalent to conflagrāt(us) past participle of conflagrāre to burn up (con- con- + flagr- (akin to fulgur lightning, flamma flame, Greek phlóx; see phlox) + -ātus -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion

Related formscon·fla·gra·tive, adjective

Synonyms for conflagration

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR conflagration ON THESAURUS.COM

See flame.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for conflagration

inferno, blaze, bonfire, wildfire, flaming, holocaust, burning

Examples from the Web for conflagration

Contemporary Examples of conflagration

The fires that corporate America lit have now become a conflagration beyond its control.
The South Has Indeed Risen Again and It’s Called the Tea Party
Jack Schwartz
December 8, 2013
A century ago, miscalculation was greatly to blame for thrusting Europe into a conflagration.
Mideast War in Our Time?
Jamie Dettmer
May 31, 2013
The Boston Marathon bombings reminded the world how quickly a celebration can turn into a conflagration.
Dutch Coronation Celebrations Clouded After Boston Marathon Bombing
Nadette De Visser
April 29, 2013
The canisters, McMahon said, are to blame for the conflagration.
How Christopher Dorner Went Down
Christine Pelisek
February 14, 2013
The conflagration in Congress is spreading to singe, if not consume, critical decisions across the board.
Washington’s Endless Civil War
Robert Shrum
January 11, 2013

Historical Examples of conflagration

Isabel herself had scarcely time for escape, so rapid was the conflagration.
Leila, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
You're liable to start a conflagration you can't stop, and that may consume yourself, is all.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower
Then a shower of sparks rose high in the air and the conflagration subsided.
The Downfall
Emile Zola
Presently, as the conflagration waned, they opened their eyes.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, August 1930
Various
"A costly blaze that," said Hoare, as he watched the conflagration.
Roland Cashel
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for conflagration

conflagration

noun

a large destructive fire

Derived Formsconflagrative, adjective

Word Origin for conflagration

C16: from Latin conflagrātiō, from conflagrāre to be burnt up, from com- (intensive) + flagrāre to burn; related to Latin fulgur lightning

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for conflagration

1550s, from Middle French conflagration (16c.) or directly from Latin conflagrationem (nominative conflagratio), present participle of conflagrare "to burn up," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + flagrare "to burn" (see flagrant).