tinderbox

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a dangerous state of affairs; a situation that is a potential source of violence
  2. noun a box for holding tinder

Etymology

From tinder + box, first use appears c. 1530, in the writings of John Palsgrave.

In classic literature

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