firing
UK[ˈfaɪərɪŋ]US[ˈfaɪrɪŋ]
n
The action of shooting a gun or other weapon.
n
The dismissal of someone from a job.
n
The process of baking pottery or bricks in a kiln to harden them.
Morpheme Breakdown
fir
ing
fir
to set on fire
ing
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'firing' is built upon the ancient concept of fire, a word with deep Proto-Indo-European roots in péh₂wr̥. In Old English, the noun 'fȳr' gave rise to the verb 'fȳrian', meaning to set alight or supply with fire. The modern verb 'fire' evolved from this, and the addition of the agentive '-ing' suffix creates a noun that captures the action or process. This core idea of applying fire or ignition logically expanded into distinct modern meanings: the discharge of a weapon (igniting gunpowder), the termination of employment (a metaphorical 'setting alight' or forceful ejection), and the hardening of ceramics through intense heat.
Analysis
Structure: fir (to set on fire) + ing (noun suffix)
fir is a reduced form of the Old English verb 'fȳrian' (to supply with fire, to set on fire), itself derived from the noun 'fȳr' (fire). ing is a suffix of Old English origin used to form nouns from verbs, indicating an action or its result.
Examples
The sound of firing could be heard from the distant battlefield.
His poor performance led to his firing from the company.
The final firing in the kiln gives the vase its beautiful glaze.