The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Ignite \Ig*nite"\, v. i.
   To take fire; to begin to burn.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Ignite \Ig*nite"\ ([i^]g*n[imac]t"), 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.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

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: ignite, light] [ant: blow out,
         extinguish, quench, snuff out]
    2: start to burn or burst into flames; "Marsh gases ignited
       suddenly"; "The oily rags combusted spontaneously" [syn:
       erupt, ignite, 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,
       ignite, heat, fire up]