Pronunciation: [sˈɪndəz] (IPA) 
The word "cinders" is spelled with the letters C-I-N-D-E-R-S. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈsɪndərz/. The initial sound is /s/ followed by a short /ɪ/ sound, then /n/ and /d/ sounds. The next syllable begins with a long /ɛ/ sound, and is followed by /r/ and /z/ sounds. The final 's' is pronounced as a voiceless /s/ sound. The word 'cinders' refers to small pieces of burned material, often used to make a fire hot.
Cinders, in noun form, refer to small pieces of charred wood, coal, or other combustible material that remain after a fire or combustion process. Typically, cinders are the residual fragments that are left behind once all the burnable elements have been consumed, indicating the solid remains of combustion. They are characterized by their dark color, often appearing black or dark grey, due to the carbon content from the consumed material.
Cinders can be found in various contexts, such as in fireplaces, bonfires, or industrial furnaces. They can also be produced naturally during volcanic eruptions, as molten lava solidifies and fragments into small rocks or shards, which subsequently cool and darken to form cinders. Additionally, cinders can be used to describe the debris or small particles created by the grinding or crushing of certain materials like volcanic rocks or coal.
In a figurative sense, cinders can symbolize the remnants or traces of something that has been destroyed, often used metaphorically to represent the aftermath or consequences of past events or actions. This usage conveys the idea that despite the initial force or intensity of a situation, what remains is usually only a fraction or residue of its former state.
The word "cinders" has its origin in the Old English language. It is derived from the Old English word "sinder", which means "slag" or "dross". "Sinder" itself has roots in the Proto-Germanic language, where it is related to the Old High German word "sintar" and the Old Norse word "sundr". These words ultimately trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *sendh-, which means "to separate" or "to scatter". Over time, the word "sinder" evolved into "cinders" in Middle English, referring to the remnants left after combustible material burns.
