kind

a. [ Compar. Kinder superl. Kindest. ] [ AS. cynde, gecynde, natural, innate, prop. an old p. p. from the root of E. kin. See Kin kindred. ] 1. Characteristic of the species; belonging to one's nature; natural; native. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

It becometh sweeter than it should be, and loseth the kind taste. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having feelings befitting our common nature; congenial; sympathetic; as, a kind man; a kind heart. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet was he kind, or if severe in aught,
The love he bore to learning was his fault. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Showing tenderness or goodness; disposed to do good and confer happiness; averse to hurting or paining; benevolent; benignant; gracious. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is kind unto the unthankful and to evil. Luke vi 35. [ 1913 Webster ]

O cruel Death, to those you take more kind
Than to the wretched mortals left behind. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

A fellow feeling makes one wondrous kind. Garrick. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Proceeding from, or characterized by, goodness, gentleness, or benevolence; as, a kind act. “Manners so kind, yet stately.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Gentle; tractable; easily governed; as, a horse kind in harness.

Syn. -- Benevolent; benign; beneficent; bounteous; gracious; propitious; generous; forbearing; indulgent; tender; humane; compassionate; good; lenient; clement; mild; gentle; bland; obliging; friendly; amicable. See Obliging. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Kin. ] To beget. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ G., lit., children's garden; kinder (pl. of kind child, akin to E. kin kindred) + garten garden. ] 1. A class within a primary school or a separate school for young children, usually between the ages of four and six years, designed to adapt children to the classroom environment before beginning academic training, on the theory that education should be begun by gratifying and cultivating the normal aptitude for exercise, play, observation, imitation, and construction; -- a name given by Friedrich Froebel, a German educator, who introduced this method of training, in rooms opening on a garden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who teaches in a kindergarten. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having kindness of nature; sympathetic; characterized by a humane disposition; as, a kind-hearted landlord. [ 1913 Webster ]

To thy self at least kind-hearted prove. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being kind-hearted; benevolence. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Kindled p. pr. & vb. n. Kindling ] [ Icel. kyndill candle, torch; prob. fr. L. candela; cf. also Icel. kynda to kindle. Cf. Candle. ] 1. To set on fire; to cause to burn with flame; to ignite; to cause to begin burning; to start; to light; as, to kindle a match, or shavings. [ 1913 Webster ]

His breath kindleth coals. Job xii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: To inflame, as the passions; to rouse; to provoke; to excite to action; to heat; to fire; to animate; to incite; as, to kindle anger or wrath; to kindle the flame of love, or love into a flame. [ 1913 Webster ]

So is a contentious man to kindle strife. Prov. xxvi. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire. Dryden.

Syn. -- Enkindle; light; ignite; inflame; provoke; excite; arouse; stir up. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ OE. kindlen, cundlen. See Kind. ] To bring forth young. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The poor beast had but lately kindled. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]