Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ignite \Ig*nite"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ignited}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Igniting}.] [L. ignitus, p. p. of ignire to ignite, fr.
   ignis fire. See {Igneous}.]
   1. To kindle or set on fire; as, to ignite paper or wood.

   2. (Chem.) To subject to the action of intense heat; to heat
      strongly; -- often said of incombustible or infusible
      substances; as, to ignite iron or platinum.

Ignite \Ig*nite"\, v. i.
   To take fire; to begin to burn.

Source : WordNet®

ignite
     v 1: cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat;
          "Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter"; "Light a
          cigarette" [syn: {light}] [ant: {snuff out}]
     2: start to burn or burst into flames; "Marsh gases ignited
        suddenly"; "The oily rags combusted spontaneously" [syn: {erupt},
         {catch fire}, {take fire}, {combust}, {conflagrate}]
     3: arouse or excite feelings and passions; "The ostentatious
        way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor";
        "The refugees' fate stirred up compassion around the
        world"; "Wake old feelings of hatred" [syn: {inflame}, {stir
        up}, {wake}, {heat}, {fire up}]