adjective
1Provided with firebrands.
Only with reference to the biblical story of Samson's revenge on the Philistines (Judges 15:3–6), in which Samson destroys the Philistines' crops by allowing them to be overrun by foxes with burning torches tied to their tails.
2Marked or branded by fire; Australian and NZ (of livestock) branded with a hot iron. Also of a mark: made using a hot iron.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Fuller (1607/8–1661), Church of England clergyman.
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