Incendiary
/ɪnˈsɛn.di.ɛr.i/noun
Designed to cause fires or unrest; also someone who stirs up trouble.
Did you know?Its core Latin root, *candere*, means “to shine” or “to glow,” so the word’s ancient lineage is tied to heat, brightness, and burning long before it meant arson or political agitation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kand-
“to shine, glow, or burn”
Latin
Latin
candēre
“to be bright, shine, glow”
Latin
Latin
incendere
“to set on fire, kindle”
Late Latin
Latin
incendiārius
“pertaining to setting fires; arsonous”
Middle English
English
incendiarie
“one who sets fires; destructive by fire”
Modern English
English
incendiary
“intended to cause fire or excite conflict”
Explore more surprising origins