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Antonyms for burn


Grammar : Verb
Spell : burn
Phonetic Transcription : bɜrn



Definition of burn

Origin :
  • 12c., combination of Old Norse brenna "to burn, light," and two originally distinct Old English verbs: bærnan "to kindle" (transitive) and beornan "to be on fire" (intransitive), all from Proto-Germanic *brennan/*branajan (cf. Middle Dutch bernen, Dutch branden, Old High German brinnan, German brennen, Gothic -brannjan "to set on fire"). This perhaps is from PIE *gwher- "to heat, warm" (see warm (adj.)), or from PIE *bhre-n-u, from root *bhreue- "to boil forth, well up" (see brew (v.)). Related: Burned/burnt (see -ed); burning.
  • Figuratively (of passions, battle, etc.) in Old English. Meaning "cheat, swindle, victimize" is first attested 1650s. In late 18c, slang, burned meant "infected with venereal disease." To burn one's bridges (behind one) "behave so as to destroy any chance of returning to a status quo" (attested by 1892 in Mark Twain), perhaps ultimately is from reckless cavalry raids in the American Civil War. Slavic languages have historically used different and unrelated words for the transitive and intransitive senses of "set fire to"/"be on fire:" cf. Polish palić/gorzeć, Russian žeč'/gorel.
  • verb be on fire; set on fire
  • verb feel stinging pain
  • verb be excited about; yearn for
  • verb cheat
Example sentences :
  • I asked him what he would do with the box, because he would not burn it.
  • Extract from : « The Penance of Magdalena and Other Tales of the California Missions » by J. Smeaton Chase
  • I'll burn my copy before I will let you have a glimpse of it.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Few could imagine from his modest exterior the latent, fire and energy which burn in his bosom.
  • Extract from : « Ridgeway » by Scian Dubh
  • I'll have to burn some midnight oil, but I can visualize the bridge.
  • Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • And suppose I set fire to this pyramid with a candle—will she burn up?
  • Extract from : « Tom Sawyer Abroad » by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
  • We must burn her in the tree; there is no way to kill her except by fire.'
  • Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson
  • Then they set fire to it on all sides, laughing and shouting: 'Burn, burn, daughter of the Didi!'
  • Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson
  • Thoughts that breathe and words that burn did not drop from his lips as from Danton's.
  • Extract from : « In the Heart of Vosges » by Matilda Betham-Edwards
  • If it is not well browned, burn some sugar on a hot shovel, and stir it in.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie
  • Broil them over a clear fire, and see that the bread does not burn.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie

Synonyms for burn

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019