firebrand

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The Word of the Day for September 23 is:

firebrand   \FYRE-brand\   noun
      1 : a piece of burning wood 
    *2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a 
cause) : agitator 

Example sentence:
      John views himself as a relentless firebrand who stands up for his 
beliefs even when they are not popular.

Did you know? 
      The original firebrands were incendiary indeed; they were pieces of wood 
set burning at the fire, perhaps for use as a light or a weapon. English 
speakers started brandishing those literal firebrands as long ago as the 13th 
century. (Robinson Crusoe held one high as he rushed into a cave on his 
deserted island and saw "by the light of the firebrand... lying on the ground a 
monstrous, frightful old he-goat.") But the burning embers of the wooden 
firebrand quickly sparked figurative uses for the term, too. By the early 14th 
century, "firebrand" was also being used for one doomed to burn in hell, and by 
1382, English writers were using it for anyone who kindled mischief or inflamed 
passions.

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.




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