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Definition of kindle verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

kindle

verb
 
/ˈkɪndl/
 
/ˈkɪndl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they kindle
 
/ˈkɪndl/
 
/ˈkɪndl/
he / she / it kindles
 
/ˈkɪndlz/
 
/ˈkɪndlz/
past simple kindled
 
/ˈkɪndld/
 
/ˈkɪndld/
past participle kindled
 
/ˈkɪndld/
 
/ˈkɪndld/
-ing form kindling
 
/ˈkɪndlɪŋ/
 
/ˈkɪndlɪŋ/
jump to other results
  1. [intransitive, transitive] to start burning; to make a fire start burning
    • We watched as the fire slowly kindled.
    • kindle something to kindle a fire/flame
  2. [transitive, intransitive] kindle (something) to make something such as an interest, emotion, etc. start to grow in somebody; to start to be felt by somebody
    • It was her teacher who kindled her interest in music.
    • Suspicion kindled within him.
    • She felt a warmth of pride kindle in her.
  3. Word OriginMiddle English: based on Old Norse kynda, influenced by Old Norse kindill ‘candle, torch’.
See kindle in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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