kindle 1
— kindler , n.
/kin"dl/ , v. , kindled, kindling .
v.t.
1. to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning.
2. to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter).
3. to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame: He kindled their hopes of victory.
4. to light up, illuminate, or make bright: Happiness kindled her eyes.
v.i.
5. to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame.
6. to become aroused or animated.
7. to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.
[ 1150-1200; ME kindlen kynda; cf. ON kindill torch, candle ]
Syn. 1-3. fire, light. KINDLE, IGNITE, INFLAME imply setting something on fire. TO KINDLE is esp. to cause something gradually to begin burning; it is often used figuratively: to kindle someone's interest. TO IGNITE is to set something on fire with a sudden burst of flame: to ignite dangerous hatreds. INFLAME is now found chiefly in figurative uses, as referring to unnaturally hot, sore, or swollen conditions in the body, or to exciting the mind by strong emotion: The wound was greatly inflamed. 3. arouse, awaken, bestir, incite, stimulate.
kindle 2
/kin"dl/ , v. , kindled, kindling , n.
v.t.
1. (of animals, esp. rabbits) to bear (young); produce (offspring).
v.i.
2. (of animals, esp. rabbits) to give birth, as to a litter.
n.
3. a litter of kittens, rabbits, etc.
[ 1175-1225; ME kindelen, v. use of kindel offspring, young, equiv. to kind- (OE gecynd offspring; see KIND 2 ) + -el -LE ]