tinderbox

[ tin-der-boks ]
/ ˈtɪn dərˌbɒks /

noun

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

Origin of tinderbox

First recorded in 1520–30; tinder + box1

Words nearby tinderbox

tinct., tinctorial, tincture, tindal, tinder, tinderbox, tindery, tine, tine test, tinea, tinea barbae

Example sentences from the Web for tinderbox

British Dictionary definitions for tinderbox

tinderbox
/ (ˈtɪndəˌbɒks) /

noun

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