KINDLING

ignition, firing, lighting, kindling, inflammation

(noun) the act of setting something on fire

kindling, tinder, touchwood, spunk, punk

(noun) material for starting a fire

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

kindling (countable and uncountable, plural kindlings)

Small pieces of wood and twigs used to start a fire.

The act by which something is kindled.

Usage notes

Kindling refers to the second stage of building a fire: tinder is used to light kindling, which then lights the main fire.

Coordinate terms

• tinder

Verb

kindling

present participle of kindle

Despite the damp wood, he had no trouble kindling a fire.

Source: Wiktionary

Kind"ling, n.

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

2. pl.

Definition: Materials, easily lighted, for starting a fire.

KINDLE

Kin"dle, v. t. & i. Etym: [OE. kindlen, cundlen. See Kind.]

Definition: To bring forth young. [Obs.] Shak. The poor beast had but lately kindled. Holland.

Kin`dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kindled; p. pr. & vb. n. Kindling.] Etym: [Icel. kyndill candle, torch; prob. fr. L. candela; cf. also Icel. kynda to kindle. Cf. Candle.]

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, 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. 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition