balefire

[ beyl-fahyuhr ]

noun

1. a large fire in the open air; bonfire.
2. a signal fire; beacon.
3. the fire of a funeral pile.

balefire

/ ˈbeɪlˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a bonfire
2. a beacon fire
3. a funeral pyre

Word History and Origins

Origin of balefire¹

1250–1300; Middle English bal ( e ) fir, equivalent to bale (< Old Norse bāl funeral pyre) + fire fire; replacing Old English bǣlfȳr

Word History and Origins

Origin of balefire¹

C14 bale , from Old English bǣl pyre; related to Old Norse bāl flame, pyre, Sanskrit bhāla brightness

Example Sentences

Sweet Teviot! on thy silver tide The glaring balefires blaze no more.

From Project Gutenberg

A single window in the wing gleamed like a balefire in the rays of the setting sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Nay, even such a birth hath Venus of her own, a second Paris, another balefire for Troy towers reborn.'

From Project Gutenberg

Up to the window the company crowded, and they could see the balefire blazing hotly against the cool light of the moon and the widely sprinkled stars.

From Project Gutenberg

Like a balefire should the flame go up that says the king is dead.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flare
• lantern
• radar