kindle1

[kin-dl] /ˈkɪn dl/
verb (used with object), kindled, kindling.
1.
to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.
2.
to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter).
3.
to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame:
He kindled their hopes of victory.
4.
to light up, illuminate, or make bright:
Happiness kindled her eyes.
verb (used without object), kindled, kindling.
5.
to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame.
6.
to become aroused or animated.
7.
to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.
Origin
1150-1200; Middle English kindlen < Old Norse kynda; compare Old Norse kindill torch, candle
Related forms
kindler, noun
Synonyms
1–3. fire, light. Kindle, ignite, inflame imply setting something on fire. To kindle is especially to cause something gradually to begin burning; it is often used figuratively: to kindle someone's interest. To ignite is to set something on fire with a sudden burst of flame: to ignite dangerous hatreds. Inflame is now found chiefly in figurative uses, as referring to unnaturally hot, sore, or swollen conditions in the body, or to exciting the mind by strong emotion: The wound was greatly inflamed. 3. arouse, awaken, bestir, incite, stimulate.

kindle2

[kin-dl] /ˈkɪn dl/
verb (used with object), kindled, kindling.
1.
(of animals, especially rabbits) to bear (young); produce (offspring).
verb (used without object), kindled, kindling.
2.
(of animals, especially rabbits) to give birth, as to a litter.
noun
3.
a litter of kittens, rabbits, etc.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English kindelen, v. use of kindel offspring, young, equivalent to kind- (Old English gecynd offspring; see kind2) + -el -le
Examples from the web for kindle
  • Little chips kindle the fire and big logs sustain it.
  • Uncivilized people use the friction of two pieces of wood to kindle a fire.
  • The paintings show two mother cats and each kindle of kittens.
  • They meet, date and kindle the standard romantic sparks until each learns the awesome truth about the other's brood.
  • Prosecutors have found it tough to build cases against executives whose companies helped kindle the financial crisis.
  • Dry coconut husks were lugged in armfuls to kindle the cookout fire.
  • This noteworthy study should kindle debates within the business community.
  • Possibilities of such a system kindle the imagination.
  • True breakthroughs always kindle lights in the dark of the unknown which lead to new scientific achievement.
  • The one kindles the fire, the other blows it.
British Dictionary definitions for kindle

kindle

/ˈkɪndəl/
verb
1.
to set alight or start to burn
2.
to arouse or be aroused: the project kindled his interest
3.
to make or become bright
Derived Forms
kindler, noun
Word Origin
C12: from Old Norse kynda, influenced by Old Norse kyndill candle

Kindle

/ˈkɪndəl/
noun
1.
trademark a portable electronic device for downloading and reading books
Word Origin and History for kindle
v.

c.1200, cundel, "to set fire to, to start on fire," probably from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse kynda "to kindle, to light a fire," Swedish quindla "kindle," of uncertain origin, + frequentative suffix -le. Figurative use from c.1300. Intransitive sense "to begin to burn, to catch fire" is from c.1400. Related: Kindled; kindling.

Influenced in form, and sometimes in Middle English in sense, with kindel "to give birth" (of animals), "bring forth, produce" (c.1200), from kindel (n.) "offspring of an animal, young one," from Old English gecynd (see kind (n.)) + -el.