kindle

WOTD – 3 October 2006    

English

Etymology

From Old Norse kynda

Pronunciation

Noun

kindle (plural kindles)

  1. (obsolete) A group of kittens.
    A kindle of kittens.

Hypernyms

Translations

group of kittens

Verb

kindle (third-person singular simple present kindles, present participle kindling, simple past and past participle kindled)

  1. (transitive) To start (a fire) or light (a torch).
    Please kindle a fire in the barbecue.
    • 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4
      And then it was that I first perceived the danger in which I stood; for there was no hope of kindling a light, and I doubted now whether even in the light I could ever have done much to dislodge the great slab of slate.
  2. (transitive, figuratively) To arouse or inspire (a passion, etc).
    He kindled an enthusiasm for the project in his fellow workers.
  3. (obsolete) To bring forth young; to give birth.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
    • Holland
      The poor beast had but lately kindled.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Translations

to start (a fire)
to arouse

Related terms

Anagrams

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Last modified on 19 May 2013, at 20:16