Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A luminous appearance or flame, as the ignis fatuus, supposed by the superstitious to presage death.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • From the choked well, whence a bright death-fire sprung,

    The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley 2003

  • Fuel for a death-fire had been heaped up in that one miserable day.

    The Old Homestead Ann S. Stephens

  • The arquebusiers were within the rampart, and death-fire and nauseous smoke spurted from a dozen different places.

    Sea-Dogs All! A Tale of Forest and Sea Tom Bevan

  • Now let me lie where death-fire flames and flashes,

    Translations of Shakuntala and Other Works Kalidasa

  • I remember that there instantly burst from the line of guards on either side crinkling beams of death-fire that seemed to sear the eyeballs.

    Edison's Conquest of Mars Garrett Putnam Serviss

  • It was this cheerfulness, he found, glimmering like some weird death-fire over the actual horror, which made his realisation of the tragedy the more poignant, and lent even a certain distinction to the poverty which she described.

    The Wheel of Life Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow 1909

  • Stroke upon stroke he gave his enemy, who continued to cast forth his death-fire, so that

    National Epics Kate Milner Rabb 1901

  • From the choked well, whence a bright death-fire sprung,

    The Revolt of Islam 1901

  • I remember that there instantly burst from the line of guards on either side crinkling beams of death-fire that seemed to sear the eyeballs.

    Edison's Conquest of Mars 1890

  • With the cult of her own family she has nothing more to do; and the funeral ceremonies performed upon her departure from the parental roof, -- the solemn sweeping-out of the house-rooms, the lighting of the death-fire before the gate, -- are significant of this religious separation.

    Japan: an Attempt at Interpretation Lafcadio Hearn 1877

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