kindle

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɪndl/

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• Rhymes: -ɪndəl

From Middle English kindel, from Old English cynd.

kindle (third-person singular simple present kindles, present participle kindling, simple past and past participle kindled)

1. (intransitive, of a rabbit or hare) To bring forth young; to give birth.
   • 2014, Karen Patry, The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver, Storey Publishing →ISBN, page 146

     If she kindled and lost just a few kits and is not bony over her back and hind end, you can rebreed immediately. If she kindled a large litter (more than, say, eight kits), you may wish to wait a week or two before rebreeding so that she can  ...

   • Holland

     The poor beast had but lately kindled.

kindle (plural kindles)

1. (rare, collective) A group of kittens.

   A kindle of kittens.

• clowder, glaring

in kindle (not comparable)

1. (of an animal) pregnant

From Middle English kindlen, from Old Norse kynda (“to inflame”), from Proto-Germanic *kundijaną.

kindle (third-person singular simple present kindles, present participle kindling, simple past and past participle kindled)

1. (transitive) To start (a fire) or light (a torch, a match, coals, etc.).
   • 1841, Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales, page 336:

     If a person kindle a fire in the house of another person, let him pay for the house to the owner, if it be burned.

   • 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4

     And then it was that I first perceived the danger in which I stood; for there was no hope of kindling a light, and I doubted now whether even in the light I could ever have done much to dislodge the great slab of slate.

   • 2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4:

     Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame.

2. (transitive, figuratively) To arouse or inspire (a passion, etc).

   He kindled an enthusiasm for the project in his fellow workers.

3. (intransitive, figuratively) To begin to grow or take hold.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. In Six Volumes, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: Printed by A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 928184292:

     The doctor now interposed, and prevented the effects of a wrath which was kindling between Jones and Thwackum […]

• (to start a fire): ignite
• (to arouse): arouse, inspire

• (to start a fire): douse, extinguish
• (to arouse): dampen

• enkindle
• kindling
• rekindle

• Kindel, delink, dinkle, inkled, kilned, klined, linked