KINDLING • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Kindling

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/kˈɪndlɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Kindle v. t. & v. i. To bring forth young. (Obs.) "The poor beast had but lately kindled."

Kindle v. t. (past & past part. kindled; pres. part. kindling)

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."

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." "Nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither." "Kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam." "Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire."

Synonyms: Enkindle; light; ignite; inflame; provoke; excite; arouse; stir up.

Kindle v. i.

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."

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."

noun

Kindling n.

1.

The act of causing to burn, or of exciting or inflaming the passions.

2.

Materials, easily lighted, for starting a fire, such as small twigs or paper; also used in the pl..

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Etymology of 'Kindling'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Kindling" Quotes from Famous Books

... previously displayed many proofs of their loyalty to the Crown and attachment to the royal person. The City consequently made common cause with the Parliament, freely expending both blood and treasure in defence of the national freedom. Who has mot read with kindling cheeks how the bold 'prentices, armed only with spears, withstood a furious charge of the fiery Rupert at the head of his gallant cavaliers? But though prepared to resist the abuse of the royal prerogative, the citizens ...

— The Corporation of London: Its Rights and Privileges • William Ferneley Allen

... it leaves you as it found you or makes another man of you. But this depends entirely on yourself. You must have been prepared by a special education, by a development of the inmost forces of your personality for the work of kindling and releasing what a divinity is able to kindle and release in you. What is brought to you depends on the reception you ...

— Christianity As A Mystical Fact - And The Mysteries of Antiquity • Rudolf Steiner

... He arranged kindling in the fireplace and touched a match to it. It hadn't occurred to him to ring for Jenkins. None of them wished to be disturbed. Eventually it was the detective who intruded. He strolled in, glanced at them curiously for a moment, then walked to the door of the enclosed ...

— The Abandoned Room • Wadsworth Camp

... not know that. When did he say so?' Jerrie asked; with kindling eyes and a quick, sideways turn of her head, of which she had a habit when startled by some ...

— Tracy Park • Mary Jane Holmes

... her distance with a kind of graciousness, but one day in her sixteenth year a certain boor met her under the castle wall as she was returning with sticks for kindling, and was struck by her free and noble carriage; for though she was little more than a child, through all her rags she shone with the grace and splendor not only of her race, but of the wild life she lived on the hills when she was not in her ruins. She was as strong ...

— Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard • Eleanor Farjeon

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