v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Kindled p. pr. & vb. n. Kindling ] [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

His breath kindleth coals. Job xii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

So is a contentious man to kindle strife. Prov. xxvi. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire. Dryden.

Syn. -- Enkindle; light; ignite; inflame; provoke; excite; arouse; stir up. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To take fire; to begin to burn with flame; to start as a flame. [ 1913 Webster ]

When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Is. xliii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Fig.): To begin to be excited; to grow warm or animated; to be roused or exasperated. [ 1913 Webster ]

On all occasions where forbearance might be called for, the Briton kindles, and the Christian gives way. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ OE. kindlen, cundlen. See Kind. ] To bring forth young. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The poor beast had but lately kindled. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, kindles, stirs up, or sets on fire. “Kindlers of riot.” Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destitute of kindness; unnatural. [ Obs. ] “Kindless villain.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Natural inclination; natural course. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality or state of being kindly; benignity; benevolence; gentleness; tenderness; as, kindliness of disposition, of treatment, or of words. [ 1913 Webster ]

In kind a father, but not in kindliness. Sackville. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Softness; mildness; propitiousness; as, kindliness of weather, or of a season. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fruits and corn are much advanced by temper of the air and
kindliness of seasons. Whitlock. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of causing to burn, or of exciting or inflaming the passions.

2. Materials, easily lighted, for starting a fire, such as small twigs or paper; -- also used in the pl.. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Kindlier superl. Kindliest. ] [ AS. cyndelic. See Kind, n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. According to the kind or nature; natural. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The kindly fruits of the earth. Book of Com. Prayer. [ 1913 Webster ]

An herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly for
Him as the Son of Man to save the sons of men. L. Andrews. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Humane; congenial; sympathetic; hence, disposed to do good to; benevolent; gracious; kind; helpful; as, kindly affections, words, acts, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

The shade by which my life was crossed, . . .
Has made me kindly with my kind. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Favorable; mild; gentle; auspicious; beneficent. [ 1913 Webster ]

In soft silence shed the kindly shower. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Should e'er a kindlier time ensue. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ “Nothing ethical was connoted in kindly once: it was simply the adjective of kind. But it is God's ordinance that kind should be kindly, in our modern sense of the word as well; and thus the word has attained this meaning.” Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. Naturally; fitly. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Examine how kindly the Hebrew manners of speech mix and incorporate with the English language Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In a kind manner; congenially; with good will; with a disposition to make others happy, or to oblige. [ 1913 Webster ]

Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love. Rom. xii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]