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.— *
β With inf.: ardore pari nisuque incurrere muris Ignescunt animi, Sil. 13, 180.