kindle

verb

1. (transitive)To 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.”

   “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.”

   “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.”

2. (figuratively, transitive)To arouse or inspire (a passion, etc).

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

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

   “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;...”

   “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.”

3. (figuratively, intransitive)To begin to grow or take hold.

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

4. (intransitive)To bring forth young; to give birth.

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

   “The poor beast had but lately kindled.”

   “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 ...”

noun

1. (collective, rare)A group of kittens.

   “A kindle of kittens.”

adj

1. (not-comparable)pregnant

name

1. A surname.