tinder Look up tinder at Dictionary.com
"dry, inflammable substance," O.E. tynder, related to tendan "to kindle," from P.Gmc. *tund- "ignite, kindle" (cf. Goth. tandjan, Swed. tända, Ger. zünden). Tinderbox "box in which tinder and flint are kept" is recorded from 1530; fig. sense of " 'inflammable' person or thing" is attested from 1598.