| kindle | 1. To set on fire; to cause to burn with flame; to ignite; to cause to begin burning; to start; to light; as, to kindle a match, or shavings. "His breath kindleth coals." (Job xii. 21) 2. To inflame, as the passions; to rouse; to provoke; to excite to action; to heat; to fire; to animate; to incite; as, to kindle anger or wrath; to kindle the flame of love, or love into a flame. "So is a contentious man to kindle strife." (Prov. Xxvi. 21) "Nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither." (Shak) "Kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam." (Milton) "Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire." (Dryden) Synonym: Enkindle, light, ignite, inflame, provoke, excite, arouse, stir up. Origin: Icel. Kyndill candle, torch; prob. Fr. L. Candela; cf. Also Icel. Kynda to kindle. Cf. Candle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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