enkindle

American  

[en-kin-dl] / ɛnˈkɪn dl /

verb (used with or without object)

enkindled, enkindling

1. to kindle into flame, ardor, activity, etc.

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enkindle British  

/ ɪnˈkɪndəl /

verb

1. to set on fire; kindle

2. to excite to activity or ardour; arouse

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Other Word Forms

• enkindler noun

Etymology

Origin of enkindle

First recorded in 1540–50; en- ¹ + kindle ¹

Example Sentences

His father gave him lessons about it but then stopped: “He could not enkindle in the heart of the child what was ashes in his own.”

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2021

Minardi fought to enkindle the Catholic faith in youth — and he never gave up for the 70 years he was Ozzano’s parish priest, until coronavirus killed him at 94.

From Washington Times • Apr. 8, 2020

Friendly and exuberant “Let your wisdom enkindle others” “Looking forward for an everlasting scientific relationship!”

From Nature • Dec. 13, 2016

That he could not enkindle in the heart of the child what was ashes in his own.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Abstractions, under the glowing genius of the orator, acquired a beauty, a vitality, a power to thrill the blood and enkindle the affections, awakening into earnest activity many a dormant faculty.

From The Works of Daniel Webster, Volume 1 by Webster, Daniel