kin·dle¹ (kĭn'dl)

v., -dled, -dling, -dles.

v.tr.

1. 1. To build or fuel (a fire).
   2. To set fire to; ignite.
2. To cause to glow; light up: The sunset kindled the skies.
3. To arouse (an emotion, for example): "No spark had yet kindled in him an intellectual passion" (George Eliot).

v.intr.

1. To catch fire; burst into flame.
2. To become bright; glow.
3. To become inflamed.
4. To be stirred up; rise.

[Middle English kindelen (influenced by kindelen, to give birth to, cause), probably from Old Norse kynda.]

kindler kin'dler n.

kin·dle² (kĭn'dl)
n.
A brood or litter, especially of kittens. See synonyms at flock¹.

intr.v., -dled, -dling, -dles.
To give birth to young. Used especially of rabbits.

[Middle English kindelen, to give birth to, from kindel, offspring, from Old English gecynd. See kind².]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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