Kindle
/ˈkɪn.dəl/noun
To start a fire or cause something to begin burning or developing.
Did you know?Kindle comes from Old English *cyndlan*, a fire-starting word tied to the ancient Germanic root for “birth” or “nature,” as if fire was something being brought forth into the world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gen-
“to beget, give birth”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*kundilōną
“to kindle, set on fire”
Old English
English
cyndlan
“to light a fire, ignite”
Middle English
English
kindlen
“to ignite, set ablaze; later, to arouse or inspire”
Modern English
English
kindle
“to start a fire or cause something to begin burning or developing”