Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words (original) (raw)

verb (used with object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.
   Synonyms: light, fire
2. to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter).
3. He kindled their hopes of victory.
   Synonyms: stimulate, incite, bestir, awaken, arouse
4. to light up, illuminate, or make bright:
   Happiness kindled her eyes.

verb (used without object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame.
2. to become aroused or animated.
3. to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.

verb (used with object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. (of animals, especially rabbits) to bear (young); produce (offspring).

verb (used without object)

, kin·dled, kin·dling.

1. (of animals, especially rabbits) to give birth, as to a litter.

noun

1. a litter of kittens, rabbits, etc.

/ ˈkɪndəl /

verb

1. to set alight or start to burn
2. the project kindled his interest

/ ˈkɪndəl /

noun

1. a portable electronic device for downloading and reading books

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Derived Forms

• ˈkindler, noun

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Other Words From

• kindler noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of kindle1

First recorded in

1150–1200; Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (compare Old Norse kindill “torch, candle”) +

-le ( def )

Origin of kindle2

First recorded in

1175–1225; Middle English kindelen, verb use of kindel “offspring, young,” equivalent to kind- ( Old English gecynd “offspring”) + -el; -le,

kind 2

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Word History and Origins

Origin of kindle1

C12: from Old Norse kynda, influenced by Old Norse kyndill candle

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Synonym Study

Kindle,

ignite,

inflame

literally mean to set something on fire.

To kindle

is to cause something gradually to begin burning; it is often used figuratively:

to kindle logs; to kindle someone's interest.

To ignite

is to set something on fire with a sudden burst of flame; it too is often used figuratively:

to ignite straw; to ignite dangerous hatreds.

Inflame

is most often used figuratively, meaning to intensify, excite, or rouse:

to inflame passions.

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Example Sentences

Tanton kindles a small fire of twigs inside a metal pitcher, while expounding for the camera about ecology and overpopulation.

Stoke Mandeville is now the permanent lighting point for all Paralympic torches, in the same way the Olympic Flame is kindled at Olympia in Greece.

As a ploy to infuse his writing with a sense of kindled urgency, Max has begun moonlighting as an escort for older men.

The experience shook her confidence in pharmaceutical research, she says, but it also kindled her interest in science.

The flame was kindled on April 16 at Olympia in southern Greece, where the ancient games were held for more than 1,000 years from about 776 B.C. to A.D.