balefire

American  

[beyl-fahy^uhr] / ˈbeɪlˌfaɪər /

noun

1. a large fire in the open air; bonfire.

2. a signal fire; beacon.

3. the fire of a funeral pile.

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balefire British  

/ ˈbeɪlˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a bonfire

2. a beacon fire

3. a funeral pyre

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Etymology

Origin of balefire

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

Example Sentences

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

From Shapes that Haunt the Dusk by Howells, William Dean

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

From The Aeneid of Virgil by Virgil

This word was the last which the wise old man harbored in heart ere hot death-waves of balefire he chose.

From Beowulf by Gummere, Francis Barton

It was Hildeburh’s hest, at Hnaef’s own pyre the bairn of her body on brands to lay, his bones to burn, on the balefire placed, at his uncle’s side.

From Beowulf by Gummere, Francis Barton

The balefire smouldered in his eye, And still he muttered, hurtling by, "Excelsior!"

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, April 25, 1917 by Various

Related Words

• flare
• lantern
• radar