kindle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb catch fire
    inflame.
    • The dried grass of the prairie kindled, spreading the flames for miles
  2. verb cause to start burning
    inflame; enkindle; conflagrate.
    • The setting sun kindled the sky with oranges and reds
  3. verb call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
    raise; fire; enkindle; elicit; arouse; evoke; provoke.
    • arouse pity
    • raise a smile
    • evoke sympathy

WordNet


Kin"dle transitive verb & intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. kindlen, cundlen. See Kind.
Definitions
  1. To bring forth young. Obs. Shak.
    The poor beast had but lately kindled. Holland.
Kin`dle transitive verb
Etymology
Icel. kyndill candle, torch; prob. fr. L. candela; cf. also Icel. kynda to kindle. Cf. Candle.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Kindled ; present participle & verbal noun Kindling
Definitions
  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. Fig.: 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.
    Syn. -- Enkindle; light; ignite; inflame; provoke; excite; arouse; stir up.
Kin"dle intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To take fire; to begin to burn with flame; to start as a flame.
    When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Is. xliii. 2.
  2. Fig.: To begin to be excited; to grow warm or animated; to be roused or exasperated.
    On all occasions where forbearance might be called for, the Briton kindles, and the Christian gives way. I. Taylor.

Webster 1913