firebrand

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English fyr-brand, furbrond, equivalent to fire +‎ brand. Cognate with German Feuerbrand (“firebrand”). === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈfaɪə.bɹænd/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈfaɪɚ.bɹænd/ === Noun === firebrand (plural firebrands) A torch or other burning stick with a flame at one end. 1807, François Rabelais, Mr. Ozell (John), Sir Thomas Urquhart, The Works of Francis Rabelais - Volume 2 - Page 182: […] he filled all their throats with it, so that those poor wretches were by it made to cough like foxes, crying, Ha, Pantagruel, how how thou addest greater heat to the firebrand that is in us. (figurative) An argumentative troublemaker or revolutionary; one who agitates against the status quo. Synonyms: radical, revolutionary, troublemaker ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ====