Ignite, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ignited; p. pr. & vb. n. Igniting.]
Etymology: [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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Ignite, v. i.
To take fire; to begin to burn.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for ignite; he lists it under burn.
Where he writes about it:
To kindle is to set on fire, as if with a candle; ignite is the more learned and scientific word for the same thing, extending even to the heating of metals to a state of incandescence without burning. — from burn