Meaning and usage of the word inflame in English

The word "inflame" is derived from the Latin word "inflamo," meaning "to blow into" or "fan." In ancient times, a torch was inflamed, or lit, by blowing into it to ignite the flames. This action had two significant purposes. Firstly, it helped to start a fire, essential for survival and for cooking food. Secondly, inflaming a torch could serve as a weapon of attack during warfare, as inflamed torches could light up dark spaces and expose enemies hiding in the shadows. The figurative use of this word, to describe the act of causing anger, passion, or excitement, may have evolved from the native's emotional state, which could be likened to the intensity of the flame or the heat generated by it. Over time, the literal meaning of "inflame" became connected to the intensification of physical sensations such as inflammation, swelling, or fever due to infection, disease, or injury. In summary, the word "inflame" originated from the ancient practice of blowing and lighting torches as a survival tool and evolved with time to represent different meanings, both literal and figurative.