kindle Hear it!

kindle1 definition

kin·dle (kin′dəl)

transitive verb kindled -·dled, kindling -·dling

  1. to set on fire; ignite
  2. to light (a fire)
  3. to arouse or excite (interest, feelings, etc.)
  4. to cause to light up; make bright

Etymology: ME kindlen, freq. < ON kynda, to set on fire, akin to MHG künten

intransitive verb

  1. to catch fire
  2. to become excited
  3. to become bright eyes kindling with joy

Related Forms:

kindle2 definition

kin·dle (kin′dəl)

transitive verb, intransitive verb kindled -·dled, kindling -·dling

Dialectal to give birth to (young)

Etymology: ME kindlen: see kind,

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.