ember

American  

[em-ber] / ˈɛm bər /

noun

1. a small live piece of coal, wood, etc., as in a dying fire.

2. embers, the smoldering remains of a fire.

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ember British  

/ ˈɛmbə /

noun

1. a glowing or smouldering piece of coal or wood, as in a dying fire

2. the fading remains of a past emotion

   the embers of his love

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Etymology

Origin of ember

before 1000; Middle English eemer, emeri, Old English ǣmerge, ǣmyrie (cognate with Old Norse eimyrja, Old High German eimuria ), equivalent to ǣm- (cognate with Old Norse eimr steam) + -erge, -yrie, akin to Old English ys ( e ) le ember, Latin ūrere to burn

Example Sentences

After they had wandered off, I improvised a broom from dried stems and tidied up, sweeping away the embers.

From Literature

However, she says her upbringing was steeped in British culture adding: "My childhood was sort of the last embers of empire and the colonial era."

From BBC

“My dad taught me,” said Akira, and an ember of worry smoldered in her stomach as she wondered again if he was okay.

From Literature

Recent studies into fire mechanics have generally found that the intense heat from wildfire can quickly dry out these plants, making them susceptible to ignition from embers, flames and radiant heat.

From Los Angeles Times

But I cannot help but feel an ember of hope burning within me.

From Literature

Related Words

• ash
• cinder