Main Entry: ²burn

Pronunciation: \ˈbərn\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): burned \ˈbərnd, ˈbərnt\ or burnt \ˈbərnt\; burn·ing

Etymology: Middle English birnen, from Old English byrnan, v.i., bærnan, v.t.; akin to Old High German brinnan to burn

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to consume fuel and give off heat, light, and gases <a small fire burns on the hearth> b : to undergo combustion; also : to undergo nuclear fission or nuclear fusion c : to contain a fire <a little stove burning in the corner> d : to give off light : shine, glow <a light burning in the window>
2 a : to be hot <the burning sand> b : to produce or undergo discomfort or pain <ears burning from the cold> c : to become emotionally excited or agitated: as (1) : to yearn ardently <burning to tell the story> (2) : to be or become very angry or disgusted <the remark made him burn>
3 a : to undergo alteration or destruction by the action of fire or heat <the house burned down> <the potatoes burned to a crisp> b : to die in the electric chair
4 : to force or make a way by or as if by burning <her words burned into his heart>
5 : to suffer sunburn <she burns easily>transitive verb 1 a : to cause to undergo combustion; especially : to destroy by fire <burned the trash> b : to use as fuel <this furnace burns gas> c : to use up : consume <burn calories>
2 a : to transform by exposure to heat or fire <burn clay to bricks> b : to produce by burning <burned a hole in his sleeve> c : to record digital data or music on (an optical disk) using a laser <burn a CD>; also : to record (data or music) in this way <burn songs onto a disk>
3 a : to injure or damage by or as if by exposure to fire, heat, or radiation : scorch <burned his hand> b : to execute by burning <burned heretics at the stake>; also : electrocute
4 a : irritate, annoy —often used with up <really burns me up> b : to subject to misfortune, mistreatment, or deception —often used in passive <has been burned in love> c : to beat or score on <burned the defense with a touchdown pass>

— burn·able \ˈbər-nə-bəl\ adjective

— burn one's bridges also burn one's boats : to cut off all means of retreat

— burn one's ears : to rebuke strongly

— burn the candle at both ends : to use one's resources or energies to excess

— burn the midnight oil : to work or study far into the night