blazes

blaze ¹  (blz)

n.

1.

a. A brilliant burst of fire; a flame.

b. A destructive fire.

2. A bright or steady light or glare: the blaze of the desert sun.

3. A brilliant, striking display: flowers that were a blaze of color.

4. A sudden outburst, as of emotion: a blaze of anger.

5. blazes Used as an intensive: Where in blazes are my keys?

v. blazed, blaz·ing, blaz·es

v.intr.

1. To burn with a bright flame.

2. To shine brightly.

3. To be resplendent: a garden blazing with flowers.

4. To flare up suddenly: My neighbor's temper blazed.

5. To shoot rapidly and continuously: Machine guns blazed.

v.tr.

To shine or be resplendent with: eyes that blazed hatred.

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[Middle English blase, from Old English blæse; see bhel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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blazing·ly adv.

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blaze ²  (blz)

n.

1. A white or light-colored spot or stripe on the face of an animal, such as a horse.

2. A mark cut or painted on a tree to indicate a trail.

tr.v. blazed, blaz·ing, blaz·es

1. To mark (a tree) with or as if with blazes.

2. To indicate (a trail) by marking trees with blazes.

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[Of Germanic origin; akin to blaze.]

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blaze ³  (blz)

tr.v. blazed, blaz·ing, blaz·es

To make known publicly; proclaim: Headlines blazed the news.

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[Middle English blasen, from Middle Dutch blsen, to blow up, swell; see bhl- in Indo-European roots.]

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blazes [ˈbleɪzɪz]

pl n

1. Slang a euphemistic word for hell (esp in the phrase go to blazes)

2. Informal (intensifier) to run like blazes what the blazes are you doing?