incendiary

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a criminal who illegally sets fire to property
  2. noun a bomb that is designed to start fires; is most effective against flammable targets (such as fuel)
  3. adjective involving deliberate burning of property

Etymology

From Middle English incendiarie, from Old French incendiaire, from Latin incendiārius (“setting alight”), from incendium (“destructive fire”), from incendō (“to set on fire, kindle”), from in- (“into, in, on, upon”) + candeō (“to be hot”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

arsonist, firebug

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