KINDLING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does kindling mean? 

• KINDLING (noun)
  The noun KINDLING has 2 senses:

1. material for starting a fire

2. the act of setting something on fire

  Familiarity information: KINDLING used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• KINDLING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Material for starting a fire

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

kindling; punk; spunk; tinder; touchwood

Hypernyms ("kindling" is a kind of...):

igniter; ignitor; lighter (a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire)

Derivation:

kindle (catch fire)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of setting something on fire

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

firing; ignition; inflammation; kindling; lighting

Hypernyms ("kindling" is a kind of...):

burning; combustion (the act of burning something)

Derivation:

kindle (catch fire)

 Context examples 

“You say truly, brother,” cried the prince, his eyes kindling at the thought.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

These I whittled into shavings or split into kindling.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Now look here, Mart, the other said slowly, with kindling anger, I come here this mornin' to see you.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

I am sensible of no light kindling—no life quickening—no voice counselling or cheering.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He said little, but when he spoke I read in his kindling eye and in his animated glance a restrained but firm resolve not to be chained to the miserable details of commerce.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

A chanting cherub adorned the cover of the sugar bucket, and attempts to portray Romeo and Juliet supplied kindling for some time.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Then I remembered that of my original character, one part remained to me: I could write my own hand; and once I had conceived that kindling spark, the way that I must follow became lighted up from end to end.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

I am looking at the likeness of the face, interrupted Mr. Peggotty, with a steady but a kindling eye, that has looked at me, in my home, at my fireside, in my boat—wheer not?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She strove bravely to hide it from me, but while I was kindling another fire I knew she was stifling her sobs in the blankets under the sail-tent.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Not a moment could be lost: the very sheets were kindling, I rushed to his basin and ewer; fortunately, one was wide and the other deep, and both were filled with water.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)