flammable

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'Carbon dioxide is non-flammable, which is important because electrosurgical devices are commonly used in laparoscopic procedures.

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Definitions (5)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. adjective Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly; inflammable.
  2. usage note
    Historically, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing. However, the presence of the prefix in- has misled many people into assuming that inflammable means "not flammable” or "noncombustible.” The prefix -in in inflammable is not, however, the Latin negative prefix -in, which is related to the English -un and appears in such words as indecent and inglorious. Rather, this -in is an intensive prefix derived from the Latin preposition in. This prefix also appears in the word enflame. But many people are not aware of this derivation, and for clarity's sake it is advisable to use only flammable to give warnings.

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Examples (50)

  • On top of this, 90 percent less smoke means 90 percent less creosote -- a flammable waste substance that accumulates in stove flues. —  American Chronicle
  • Not only is it flammable, and give off fumes rhat can cause adverse reactions, but it contains a carcinagen - I think its benzene - that is absorbed through the skin.
  • They're very flammable -- toss a cigarette, and you have a big fire. —  CNN.com
  • 'Carbon dioxide is non-flammable, which is important because electrosurgical devices are commonly used in laparoscopic procedures. —  AME Info Latest News
  • We simply say fire would burn everything that's flammable, and anything made of wood will already be marked up in the database as flammable. —  Eurogamer
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. From Latin flammāre, to set fire to, from flamma, flame; see bhel-1 in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Latin as if *flammabilis, from flammare, flame: see flame, v.
 

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