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tinderbox

[ tin-der-boks ]

noun

  1. a box for holding tinder, usually fitted with a flint and steel.
  2. a person or thing that is highly excitable, explosive, inflammable, etc.; a potential source of widespread violence:

    Berlin was the tinderbox of Europe.



tinderbox

/ ˈtɪndəˌbɒks /

noun

  1. a box used formerly for holding tinder, esp one fitted with a flint and steel
  2. a person or thing that is particularly touchy or explosive


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Word History and Origins

Origin of tinderbox1

First recorded in 1520–30; tinder + box 1

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Example Sentences

The Mideast Tinderbox Beyond Libya, there is the rest of the region.

Some believe the answer is even more support for dictators who keep the lid on this tinderbox.

They said that in any case the incident only highlights their worry that the Gulf is an aquatic tinderbox.

Take the flint and tinderbox, creep along the bank, and light a fire at that spot; maybe the smoke will draw them above us.

Klein Piet had his tinderbox in his pocket; by the light he made, they both bent to look at the link on the ground.

She says he finds his way up to his room, in the dark, and the candle and a tinderbox are always placed handy for him there.

That he had done so affected him more sharply now with a sense of the appropriateness of this house in Tinderbox Lane.

It was satisfactory, Michael thought as he walked down Tinderbox Lane, that the conversation had ended normally.

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