Definition of bonfire Bonfire
/bɑˈnfajˌɚ/ - [banfayer] - bon•fire
We found 9 definitions of bonfire from 7 different sources.
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What does bonfire mean?
WordNet
NounPlural: bonfires |
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| bonfire - a large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration | ||
| balefire | ||
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Wiktionary 
Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘
- bonfire (n.)
A large fire built in the open air, as an expression of public joy and exultation, or for amusement.
OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω
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bonfire
A large, controlled outdoor fire.
Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕
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bonfire
bon′fīr, n. a large fire in the open air on occasions of public rejoicing, &c.—originally a fire in which bones were burnt. [Not Fr. bon, good, and Fire.]
Wikipedia 
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A bonfire or balefire is a large controlled outdoor fire made from bales of straw or wood. The word is believed to come from "bone fire". In the time of the Celts, there were midsummer festivals where animal bones were burnt to ward off evil spirits.
What it means in Great Britain.
In Great Britain, bonfires are particularly associated with "Guy Fawkes Night". This night is also known as "fireworks night" or "bonfire night". On this night, people celebrate that the Gunpowder Plot was discovered. This discovery took place on 5 November 1605. They do this celebration each year (It is called an "annual celebration")
In Northern Ireland, "bonfires" are associated with celebrations on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. This battle took place on 12 July 1690.
What it means in Japan.
In Japan, large fires called bon-bi are set to welcome the return of the spirits of the ancestors. Though the two terms are not etymologically or historically related, they serve similar purposes and indicate the universal importance of large fires.
Use of bonfires for rituals.
Bonfires were also used for rituals. The idea was that the fire would purify. It was used to consecrate things, or people, that is to make them sacred, in some way. In ancient times, cattle were important symbols of wealth and status. Such cattle was led through the smoke of a bonfire. Couples who were to be wed on May Day would leap through the flames of the bonfire to seal their vows. Coals from a bonfire would be take
Part of speech
🔤- bonfire, noun, singular of bonfires.
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