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Where does the word "conflagration" come from? It comes from Latin conflagrāre, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).
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Where does the word "conflagration" come from? It comes from Latin conflagrāre, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).
Conflagration’s story begins in Latin: conflagrāre meant “to burn up.” To burn up, from 'con-', thoroughly, and 'flagrāre', to blaze, the root of 'flagrant'. It reached English by 1550s as conflagration. First used of cosmic and judgement-day fires, then of great fires. Today, conflagration means a large destructive fire.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient conflagrāre "to burn up", to burn up, from 'con-', thoroughly, and 'flagrāre', to blaze, the root of 'flagrant'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1550s conflagration "great fire", first used of cosmic and judgement-day fires, then of great fires.