Bonfire
WordNet

noun


(1)   A large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration
WiktionaryText

Etymology


, as originally a fire in which bones were burnt.

From .

Noun


  1. A fire in which bones were burned.
  2. A fire to burn unwanted or disreputable items or people: proscribed books, heretics etc.
  3. A large, controlled outdoor fire, as a signal or to celebrate something.

See also

  • balefire, implying baleful fire
  • bale akin to Old High German balo, Old Norse böl "evil, destruction, disaster"
  • bale akin to Old English bœl, Old Norse bál "bonfire, fire"
 
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