ignesco, ere, 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). 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.

— Transf., of color: purpura et candor et tertium ex utroque ignescens, kindling, breaking into a flame, Plin. 37, 2, 8, § 21.

— 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. poet. 10, 211: odia, Stat. Th. 11, 525: vultus sanguine, id. ib. 3, 78.

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