Definition of incendiary

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< Ince, Thomas Harper

incense >

in·cen·di·ar·y    (n-snd-r) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. 1. Causing or capable of causing fire.
   2. Of or containing chemicals that produce intensely hot fire when exploded: an incendiary bomb.
   3. Of or involving arson.
2. Tending to inflame; inflammatory: an incendiary speech.

NOUN:
pl. in·cen·di·ar·ies

1. An arsonist.
2. An incendiary device.
3. One who creates or stirs up factionalism or sedition; an agitator.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin incendirius, from incendium, fire, from incendere, to set on fire ; see incense¹

OTHER FORMS:
in·cendi·a·rism  (--rzm) KEY (Noun)