/in sen"dee er'ee/ , adj., n., pl. incendiaries .
adj.
1. used or adapted for setting property on fire: incendiary bombs.
2. of or pertaining to the criminal setting on fire of property.
3. tending to arouse strife, sedition, etc.; inflammatory: incendiary speeches.
4. tending to inflame the senses: an incendiary extravaganza of music and dance.
n.
5. a person who deliberately sets fire to buildings or other property, as an arsonist.
6. Mil. a shell, bomb, or grenade containing napalm, thermite, or some other substance that burns with an intense heat.
7. a person who stirs up strife, sedition, etc.; an agitator.
[ 1600-10; incendiarius, equiv. to incendi ( um ) a fire ( incend ( ere ) to kindle ( in- IN- 2 + -cendere, transit. v. from base of candere to shine, be hot; see CANDENT, CANDID, CANDOR) + -ium -IUM) + -arius -ARY ]