I. -dēˌerē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin incendiarius, adjective & noun, from incendium conflagration (from incendere to kindle, set afire) + -arius -ary — more at incense
1.
a. : a person who deliberately sets fire to a building or other property
b. : an incendiary agent (as a bomb)
2. : a person who excites or inflames factions and promotes quarrels or sedition : agitator , exciter
3. obsolete : an exciting or causative factor especially of something bad or unpleasant
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin incendiarius
1. : of, relating to, or involving a deliberate burning of property
incendiary fires
an incendiary crime
2.
a. : tending to excite or inflame factions, sedition, or quarrels : inflammatory , seditious
an incendiary speech
incendiary literature
b. : sexually stimulating
an incendiary blonde
3.
a. : igniting combustible materials spontaneously
an incendiary agent
b. : relating to, being, or involving the use of an explosive missile containing chemicals that ignite on bursting
incendiary grenade
incendiary warfare
— see incendiary bomb
III. adjective
: very hot and spicy : fiery 2a — used of food