Kindle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kindled; p. pr. & vb. n. Kindling.]
Etymology: [Icel. kyndill candle, torch; prob. fr. L. candela; cf. also Icel. kynda to kindle. Cf. Candle.]
1. To set on fire; to cause to burn with flame; to ignite; to cause to begin burning; to start; to light; as, to kindle a match, or shavings. His breath kindleth coals. Job xii. 21.
2. Fig.: To inflame, as the passions; to rouse; to provoke; to excite to action; to heat; to fire; to animate; to incite; as, to kindle anger or wrath; to kindle the flame of love, or love into a flame. So is a contentious man to kindle strife. Prov. xxvi. 21. Nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither. Shak. Kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam. Milton. Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire. Dryden.
Syn. -- Enkindle; light; ignite; inflame; provoke; excite; arouse; stir up.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Kindle, v. t. & i.
To bring forth young. [Obs.] Shak. The poor beast had but lately kindled. Holland.
Kindle, v. i.
1. To take fire; to begin to burn with flame; to start as a flame. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Is. xliii. 2.
2. Fig.: To begin to be excited; to grow warm or animated; to be roused or exasperated. On all occasions where forbearance might be called for, the Briton kindles, and the Christian gives way. I. Taylor.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for kindle; he lists it under burn.
Where he writes about it:
To kindle is to set on fire, as if with a candle; ignite is the more learned and scientific word for the same thing, extending even to the heating of metals to a state of incandescence without burning. — from burn
Both kindle and burn have an extensive figurative use; as, to kindle strife; to burn with wrath, love, devotion, curiosity. — from burn