rekindlev.
/ˌriːˈkɪndl/, U.S. /riˈkɪndəl/ 1.
a. transitive. To kindle again; to relight, set light to afresh; (also) to rouse (a dormant fire). Frequently in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > kindle or set alight > again
rekindle1592
re-enkindle1601
reincense1609
relumea1616
relumine1630
reaccend1645
refire1656
relight1662
reflame1697
reillume1752
reignite1822
1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes sig. E Who publikely accusde or of late brought Mother Hubbard into question, that thou shouldst by rehearsall rekindle against him the sparkes of displeasure that were quenched?
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xi. 79 The Coals began to be re-kindled in several places.
a1711 T. Ken Urania in Wks. (1721) IV. 431 Soon as my sight Charissa bless'd, She Fire re-kindled in my Breast.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 627/1 The phosphorus may be frequently rekindled by means of light.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary II. iii. 71 The vexed and mortified watchman set about to strike a light in order to rekindle the fire.
1862 S. St. John Life Forests Far East II. 98 The ashes of the fires were still warm, and we had no difficulty in rekindling them.
1905 Baroness Orczy Scarlet Pimpernel xxi. 197 Mr. Jellyband hastily relit the lamp, rekindled a cheerful bit of fire in the great hearth.
1955 K. Hutton & A. Swallow Chem. for Gen. Sci. iii. 29 It rekindles a glowing splint of wood.
1990 K. O. Morgan People's Peace (BNC) I'm looking to the Scots to rekindle the fire that burnt inside them during the summer and keep Roxburgh's World Cup dream alive.
b. transitive. figurative. To inflame, arouse, stir up again; to revive or reignite (something lost or lapsed).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > ardent or fervent [verb (transitive)] > inflame (with) passion > again
rekindle1603
re-enkindle1650
reinflame1697
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 397 Such occurrences as these so necessarie, doe rekindle and set on fire againe old men, who were in maner extinct and cleane dead before, provided, that there remained in them any sparke or breath at all.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. viii. 488/2 Once againe young Arthur, whose former hopes were all cold, is re-kindled by these fire-brands.
1652 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. Bentivoglio Hist. Relations Flanders 19 When news was brought that the kings anger was rekindled against the Dutch.
1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists iii. i. 173 Let me advise you..since you have rekindled me, not to give me time to cool again.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxxvi. 481 Their ambition was soon rekindled.
1821 P. B. Shelley Adonais ii. 7 One, with soft enamoured breath, Rekindled all the fading melodies.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 8 Hirst now undertook the task of rekindling the guide's enthusiasm.
1915 W. Cather Song of Lark vi. xi. 480 Any account of the loyalty of young hearts to some exalted ideal, and the passion with which they strive, will always, in some of us, rekindle generous emotions.
1963 H. S. Thompson Let. 9 Sept. in Proud Highway (1997) 396 It also rekindled my interest in a subject I've been avoiding—namely, that of plunging once again into the Latin bughouse.
2007 Climb Mag. May 52/1 The passion had gone out of my relationship with rock and I needed a weekend away to rekindle the spirit.
2. intransitive. To catch fire again; to become reignited. Chiefly figurative and in figurative contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or be on fire [verb (intransitive)] > catch fire or begin to burn > again
rekindle1597
relight1785
reflame1800
reignite1818
the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > become ardent or fervent [verb (intransitive)] > become inflamed (of passion) > again
re-enkindlea1711
rekindle1829
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements i. xxviii. 156 So the fire rekindled and consumed it to nothing.
1689 A. Behn Hist. Nun 122 One may a while suffer the Flame to languish,..but when 'tis quite extinguish'd, it never returns or rekindles.
1750 M. Jones Let. 5 May in Misc. in Prose & Verse 283 Such little incidents as these reconcile me again to this Compost of Clay; and even my spirit rekindles.
1829 W. Irving Chron. Conq. Granada I. vi. 51 All his holy zeal and pious indignation rekindled at the sight.
1878 B. Taylor Prince Deukalion i. v. 41 No will rekindles, not to war with fate.
1926 P. Russell Benjamin Franklin iv. 44 But the old fire re-kindles when Brown discovers in this bedraggled youth an alert mind, a bookish taste, an original turn of speech, and a quirky humor.
1989 W. McIlvanney Walking Wounded 130 Her eyes had rekindled for a moment into their old liveliness.
2008 S. Dornan Industr. Fire Brigade xix. 587/1 Ensure that the fire will not rekindle, but do not go any further until the investigator arrives.
Derivatives
reˈkindled adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > [adjective] > setting on fire or alight > set on fire or alight > again
rekindled1660
relumineda1743
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xiii. 85 The re-kindled Match went out again.
1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure I. 71 I laid me down on the bed, stretch'd myself out, joining, and ardently wishing..any means to divert or allay the rekindl'd rage and tumult of my desires.
1838 E. A. Poe Narr. A. G. Pym in Wks. (1864) IV. 105 All the energy of rekindled hope.
1993 K. Kingston Warning of Magic x. 187 She put her hands up to his head, felt the thick hair beneath her fingers, and the rekindled flame leapt in every part of her body.
reˈkindling n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > [adjective] > burning or inflamed (of passions) > again
rekindling1662
1662 R. Boyle Examen Mr. T. Hobbs ii. 11 in New Exper. Physico-mechanicall (ed. 2) The re-kindling of the Fire.
1690 G. Powell Treacherous Brothers v. v. 62 My Semanthe, to my Arms return, Where loves rekindling Fire shall brighter burn.
1769 W. Falconer Shipwreck (ed. 3) ii. 84 Horrors..rous'd to action his rekindling soul.
a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey (1818) II. vi. 111 It was done completely; not a remnant of light in the wick could give hope to the rekindling breath. View more context for this quotation
1855 P. J. Bailey Mystic 49 At the great rekindling, when the heavens Shall shine with souls in galaxies.
1919 S. Sassoon Picture Show 2 Remember, through your heart's rekindling pride.
1999 Granta Summer 175 The Algerians who had sided with the French during the war, who feared the rekindling of old tensions.
2004 J. Brown Your Body's calling Me 140 His publicity team immediately attempted to fan the rekindling flame that had calmed into a smolder of occasional headlines throughout the fall.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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