kindle

present singular third person kindles · participle present kindling · participle past kindled · past kindled

1. transitiveTo start (a fire) or light (a torch, a match, coals, etc.).

   If a person kindle a fire in the house of another person, let him pay for the house to the owner, if it be burned.

   1841, Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales, page 336

   2 more examples

   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.

   [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, “In the Vault”, in Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC, page 65

   Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame.

   2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4

   Synonyms: fire, ignite, inflame, set on fire · Antonyms: douse, extinguish

2. figurativelytransitiveTo arouse or inspire (a passion, etc).

   He kindled an enthusiasm for the project in his fellow workers.

   4 more examples

   A Svveet diſorder in the dreſſe / Kindles in cloathes a vvantonneſſe: […]

   1648, Robert Herrick, “Delight in Disorder”, in Hesperides: Or, The Works both Humane & Divine […], London: […] John Williams, and Francis Eglesfield, and are to be sold by Tho[mas] Hunt, […], →OCLC, page 29

   Let the young perish in their hour of promise—how much will they be spared!—passion, that kindles but to consume the heart, and leaves either vacancy or regret, a ruin or a desert;...

   1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XIX, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 159

   He's got a girl named Jane with no last name Kinda homely and plain - loves her just the same 'Cause she kindles a flame and it drives him insane.

   1969, “Gitarzan”, Ray Stevens, Bill Everette (lyrics), performed by Ray Stevens

   The unfinished argument which had been smouldering dormantly like some quiescent volcano since Lockyer's day — suddenly boiled over in print. Hawkins' article in Nature kindled response from all quarters.

   2013, Peter Lancaster Brown, Megaliths, Myths and Men: An Introduction to Astro-Archaeology, page 111

   Synonyms: arouse, inspire, animate, arouse, awaken, beghast, leaven, bright · Antonyms: dampen

3. figurativelyintransitiveTo begin to grow or take hold.

   The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […]

   1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC

plural kindles

1. collectiverareA group, usually a litter, of kittens, or sometimes cats more generally.

   A kindle of kittens.

   4 more examples

   She remembers when she was asked to take in a kindle of kittens.

   2003, Felicity Jack, The Kindness of Strangers, Spinifex Press, page 80

   The Good Boye Guild is a new middle-grade graphic novel by comic book creator Megan McKay. "This D&D-inspired dogs vs. cats fantasy-adventure tells the origin story of the Guild, a band of pups on a quest to find the collar of the Rabid King from a figure known as the Regent, while an "evil" opponent—a kindle of cats—is also after the collar.

   2022 May 2, Rich Johnston, Bleeding Cool, archived from the original on 30 May 2022

   Everything seemed contingent on this arrangement: the clowder under the sill, the kindle under the bed, the ventricle next to the sleeping child slowly repairing itself.

   2008, Carole Maso, edited by Bradford Morrow, Fifty Contemporary Writers, Conjunctions, From Mother & Child

   When you have chosen your kitten from the kindle (litter), being sure that this little mite is the one upon whom you wish to bestow your friendship and protection...

   1993, Claire Nahmad, Cat Spells, Random House Value Publishing, page 13

present singular third person kindles · participle present kindling · participle past kindled · past kindled

1. intransitiveTo bring forth young; to give birth.

   The poor beast had but lately kindled.

   1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “(please specify |book=I to XXXVII)”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], (please specify |tome=1 or 2), London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC

   2 more examples

   ORLANDO Are you native of this place? ROSALIND As the cony that you see dwell where she is kindled.

   c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], lines 344-46

   If she kindled and lost just a few kits and is not bony over her back and hind end, you can rebreed immediately. If she kindled a large litter (more than, say, eight kits), you may wish to wait a week or two before rebreeding so that she can ...

   2014, Karen Patry, The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver, Storey Publishing, →ISBN, page 146

1. not comparablepregnant

plural Kindles

1. A surname.