ember

[ em-ber ]

noun

1. a small live piece of coal, wood, etc., as in a dying fire.
2. embers, the smoldering remains of a fire.

ember

/ ˈɛmbə /

noun

1. a glowing or smouldering piece of coal or wood, as in a dying fire
2. the fading remains of a past emotion

   the embers of his love

Word History and Origins

Origin of ember¹

before 1000; Middle English eemer, emeri, Old English ǣmerge, ǣmyrie (cognate with Old Norse eimyrja, Old High German eimuria ), equivalent to ǣm- (cognate with Old Norse eimr steam) + -erge, -yrie, akin to Old English ys ( e ) le ember, Latin ūrere to burn

Word History and Origins

Origin of ember¹

Old English ǣmyrge; related to Old Norse eimyrja ember, eimr smoke, Old High German eimuria ember

Example Sentences

It is often called ritual theatre for its electrifying drama, featuring daring acts like fire-walking, diving into burning embers, chanting occult verses, and prophesying.

From BBC

Finally, the researchers put the shells over embers to slowly heat the mixture, adding small amounts of ash to boost viscosity and volume.

From Science Magazine

Should an ember land at the bottom, fire can can climb uphill on both sides.

From Los Angeles Times

In a matter of hours, the Mountain fire charged rapidly across the Santa Susana Mountains and into nearby foothill neighborhoods, forcing widespread evacuations and demanding intense firefights from crews showered in red-hot embers.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts still disagree over whether homes can be completely fireproofed in a wind-driven ember fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ash
• cinder