The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Blaze \Blaze\ (bl[=a]z), n. [OE. blase, AS. bl[ae]se, blase;
   akin to OHG. blass whitish, G. blass pale, MHG. blas torch,
   Icel. blys torch; perh. fr. the same root as E. blast. Cf.
   Blast, Blush, Blink.]
   1. A stream of gas or vapor emitting light and heat in the
      process of combustion; a bright flame. "To heaven the
      blaze uprolled." --Croly.
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   2. Intense, direct light accompanied with heat; as, to seek
      shelter from the blaze of the sun.
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            O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon!
                                                  --Milton.
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   3. A bursting out, or active display of any quality; an
      outburst; a brilliant display. "Fierce blaze of riot."
      "His blaze of wrath." --Shak.
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            For what is glory but the blaze of fame? --Milton.
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   4. [Cf. D. bles; akin to E. blaze light.] A white spot on the
      forehead of a horse.
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   5. A spot made on trees by chipping off a piece of the bark,
      usually as a surveyor's mark.
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            Three blazes in a perpendicular line on the same
            tree indicating a legislative road, the single blaze
            a settlement or neighborhood road.    --Carlton.
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   In a blaze, on fire; burning with a flame; filled with,
      giving, or reflecting light; excited or exasperated.

   Like blazes, furiously; rapidly. [Low] "The horses did
      along like blazes tear." --Poem in Essex dialect.
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   Note: In low language in the U. S., blazes is frequently used
         of something extreme or excessive, especially of
         something very bad; as, blue as blazes. --Neal.
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   Syn: Blaze, Flame.

   Usage: A blaze and a flame are both produced by burning gas.
          In blaze the idea of light rapidly evolved is
          prominent, with or without heat; as, the blaze of the
          sun or of a meteor. Flame includes a stronger notion
          of heat; as, he perished in the flames.
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