English Dictionary |
TINDERBOX
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Dictionary entry overview: What does tinderbox mean?
• TINDERBOX (noun)
The noun TINDERBOX has 2 senses:
1. a dangerous state of affairs; a situation that is a potential source of violence
Familiarity information: TINDERBOX used as a noun is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A dangerous state of affairs; a situation that is a potential source of violence
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Context example:
the Balkans are the tinderbox of Europe
Hypernyms ("tinderbox" is a kind of...):
situation (a complex or critical or unusual difficulty)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A box for holding tinder
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("tinderbox" is a kind of...):
box (a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid)
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