Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CIN'DER, n. [chiefly used in the plur. Cinders. Fr. cendre; It. cenere; Sp. ceniza; L. cinis, ashes. In W. sindw, is the cinders or scoria of a forge; Sax. sinder, the scoria of metals; D. zindel; Sw. sinder. Qu. Gr. κονες, κονια, dust, ashes.]

1. Small coals or particles of fire mixed with ashes; embers. [This is the usual sense of the word in America.]
2. Small particles of matter, remaining after combustion, in which fire is extinct; as, the cinders of a forge. [I believe this word is never used as synonymous with ashes.]