Definition: ignite

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

ignite
     v 1: cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat;
          "Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter."; "Light a
          cigarette." [syn: light] [ant: extinguish]
     2: start to burn; "Marsh gases ignited suddenly." [syn: erupt,
         catch fire, take fire]
     3: arouse or excite feelings and passions; "The ostentatious
        way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor";
        "The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the
        world"; "Wake old feelings of hatred" [syn: inflame, stir
        up, wake, heat, fire up]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Ignite \Ig*nite"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ignited; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Igniting.] [L. ignitus, p. p. of ignire to ignite, fr.
   ignis fire. See Igneous.]
   1. To kindle or set on fire; as, to ignite paper or wood.

   2. (Chem.) To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat
      strongly; -- often said of incombustible or infusible
      substances; as, to ignite iron or platinum.
Ignite \Ig*nite"\, v. i.
   To take fire; to begin to burn.