verb
kindle
KIN-dul/ˈkɪndl/
To bring a fire into burning activity.
She uses dry twigs to kindle a small campfire.
Etymology
Middle English cundel meant “to set fire to.” Arousing a feeling extends that image: a passion or emotion is treated as something that can be set alight.
In context
I found some shellfish on the shore and ate them raw not daring to Kindle a fire for fear of being discovered by the natives
More examples
- We kindled a fire in the fireplace before dinner.
- A stray spark kindles the dry grass beside the road.
- Kindling a fire with damp wood takes patience.
Forms
kindle · kindles · kindled · kindling
kindling noun — Small, dry material used to start fires.