ignesco, ĕre, v. inch. n. (in pass. ignescitur, Laber. ap. Non. 481, 7; Fragm. Com. v. 26 Rib.) [ignis], to take fire, to become inflamed, to burn, kindle (syn.: inardesco, exardesco). I. Lit.: ex quo eventurum nostri putant, ut ad extremum omnis mundus ignesceret, Cic. N. D. 2, 46, 118: lumen capere atque ignescere
, Ov. M. 15, 847.—B. Transf., of color: purpura et candor et tertium ex utroque ignescens
, kindling
, breaking into a flame
, Plin. 37, 2, 8, 21. —II. Trop., to burn with passion, to glow (poet.): furiis ignescit opertis
, Val. Fl. 5, 520: virgo (Pallas)
, Sil. 9, 460: pectora, Claud. ap. Eutr. 2, 45: Rutulo muros et castra tuenti Ignescunt irae
, Verg. A. 9, 66: amor menti, Col. poët. 10, 211: odia
, Stat. Th. 11, 525: vultus sanguine
, id. ib. 3, 78.— (b). With inf.: ardore pari nisuque incurrere muris Ignescunt animi
, Sil. 13, 180.