adj. 1. a. Causing or designed to cause fires: an incendiary device. b. Of or containing chemicals that produce intensely hot fire when exploded: an incendiary bomb. c. Intentionally started or set: an incendiary fire. 2. Tending to arouse strong emotion or conflict; inflammatory: an incendiary speech. 3. Causing a strong burning sensation in the mouth; very hot: incendiary wasabi. n. pl. in·cen·di·ar·ies 1. An incendiary bomb, bullet, or device. 2. A person who intentionally starts a fire with the purpose of causing damage or injury. 3. One who creates or stirs up conflict; an agitator. [Middle English, from Latin incendiārius, from incendium, fire, from incendere, to set on fire; see INCENSE1.] in·cendi·a·rism (-ə-rĭz′əm) n. |
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