(v. t.) To consume with fire; to reduce to ashes by the action of
heat or fire; -- frequently intensified by up: as, to burn up wood.
(v. t.) To injure by fire or heat; to change destructively some
property or properties of, by undue exposure to fire or heat; to
scorch; to scald; to blister; to singe; to char; to sear; as, to burn
steel in forging; to burn one's face in the sun; the sun burns the
grass.
(v. t.) To perfect or improve by fire or heat; to submit to the
action of fire or heat for some economic purpose; to destroy or change
some property or properties of, by exposure to fire or heat in due
degree for obtaining a desired residuum, product, or effect; to bake;
as, to burn clay in making bricks or pottery; to burn wood so as to
produce charcoal; to burn limestone for the lime.
(v. t.) To make or produce, as an effect or result, by the
application of fire or heat; as, to burn a hole; to burn charcoal; to
burn letters into a block.
(v. t.) To consume, injure, or change the condition of, as if by
action of fire or heat; to affect as fire or heat does; as, to burn the
mouth with pepper.
(v. t.) To apply a cautery to; to cauterize.
(v. t.) To cause to combine with oxygen or other active agent,
with evolution of heat; to consume; to oxidize; as, a man burns a
certain amount of carbon at each respiration; to burn iron in oxygen.
(v. i.) To be of fire; to flame.
(v. i.) To suffer from, or be scorched by, an excess of heat.
(v. i.) To have a condition, quality, appearance, sensation, or
emotion, as if on fire or excessively heated; to act or rage with
destructive violence; to be in a state of lively emotion or strong
desire; as, the face burns; to burn with fever.
(v. i.) To combine energetically, with evolution of heat; as,
copper burns in chlorine.
(v. i.) In certain games, to approach near to a concealed object
which is sought.
(n.) A hurt, injury, or effect caused by fire or excessive or
intense heat.
(n.) The operation or result of burning or baking, as in
brickmaking; as, they have a good burn.
(n.) A disease in vegetables. See Brand, n., 6.
(n.) A small stream.