kindle
v.v. to start a fire or to make a feeling or interest grow. You use this when you want to describe how a small spark turns into a big flame or a strong emotion.
v. to ignite a fire or to arouse an emotion, interest, or inspiration. Often used metaphorically to describe the initiation of a psychological state or a creative process.
We used dry leaves to kindle the campfire.
The teacher's passionate lecture helped kindle a lifelong interest in history for many of the students.
The author's early experiences in the wilderness served to kindle a profound environmental consciousness that would eventually define her entire body of literary work.
From Middle English kyndelen, from Old Norse kynda (“to inflame”), from Proto-Germanic *kundijaną.
From Middle English kyndel, from kynde + -el. The verb is derived from the noun form by conversion.
The verb can be used both transitively (to kindle a fire) and intransitively (the wood kindled quickly).