ember

Etymology 1

From Middle English embre, eymbre, aymer, eymere, emeri, from Old English ǣmyrġe, from Proto-West Germanic *aimuʀjā, from Proto-Germanic *aimuzjǭ, a compound of *aimaz + *uzjǭ. The latter is from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ews- (“to burn”). The b is intrusive and was added in English for ease of pronunciation when the vowel of the second syllable (y) disappeared. See also Old High German eimuria (“pyre”), Danish emmer, Swedish mörja (“embers”).

noun

1. A glowing piece of coal or wood; a hot coal.
2. Smoldering ash.

Etymology 2

From Middle English embryne (“running around, circuit”), from Old English ymbryne (“course; circuit”), equivalent to umb- + run.

adj

1. (religion) Making a circuit of the year or the seasons; recurring in each quarter of the year, as certain religious days set apart for fasting and prayer.
   ember fasts
   ember days
   ember weeks