bonfire

bon-fire · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large outdoor fire, typically lit as part of a celebration or to burn rubbish.

  2. 2.

    A fire lit to celebrate an event or festival.

Forms

plural: bonfires

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Bonfire Night — British celebration on November 5th commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot
  • •
    bonfire of the vanities — destruction of objects considered sinful

Related words

See also: blaze, campfire, fire
Synonyms: blaze, fire, pyre

Etymology

From Middle English bonefire or banefyre, literally "bone fire" - a fire in which bones were burned, either as part of funeral rites or in the burning of corpses during plagues. The spelling "bonfire" replaced earlier forms in the 16th century.