To set on fire; to kindle or ignite; also used figuratively to mean to inspire or arouse passion.
From 'en-' (to cause to be) plus 'kindle,' which comes from Old Norse 'kynda' (to kindle), related to 'kin' (family, extending to the idea of 'generative fire'). The word appeared in Middle English in both literal and metaphorical senses.
Shakespeare and other Renaissance writers loved the verb 'enkindle' for its poetic power—'to enkindle love' or 'to enkindle courage' sounds far more inspiring than plain 'to kindle,' showing how the 'en-' prefix can add emotional weight to words.
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