burn

Everyday

1. To be on fire, to make flames and heat: "The wood is burning." tree →
2. To damage or destroy with fire or heat: "I burnt the toast." tree →
3. To hurt your skin with heat, fire, chemicals or the sun. tree →
4. To feel very hot or painful: "My eyes burn." tree →
5. To use as fuel: "Cars burn petrol." tree →
6. As a noun, an injury from heat. tree →
7. A small stream (Scottish). tree →

In the lessons

In science, burning is a chemical change: fuel joins with oxygen and gives off heat and light, and cannot be undone; the body "burns" food for energy. In safety: for a burn, cool it under cool running water for 20 minutes and tell an adult; keep away from stoves, kettles and irons; use sunscreen. Phrases: burn down, burn out, sunburn, burn the midnight oil.

Examples

• The candle burned all night. tree →
• I burnt my finger on the pan. tree →
• Cool a burn under running water. tree →
• Wood burns and turns to ash. tree →
• Wear sunscreen so your skin doesn't burn. tree →
• The house burned down in the fire. tree →
• Running burns energy. tree →
• Don't burn the toast! tree →

Note

Past: "burned" (more American) or "burnt" (more British); "burnt toast" as an adjective. Burning is not reversible. Don't put butter or ice on a burn.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it often means to burn an offering or incense on the altar, which is a way to give it to God. The psalms and prophets say God's anger or jealousy "burns like fire", a picture of strong feeling.

Interpretation. The fire on the altar was to be kept alight at all times. The rabbis said the burning of incense and offerings was a way to come close to God. They read the burning of God's wrath as a figure of speech, since God has no body, and the psalmist's question is a plea for mercy.

Examples

• And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia-wood shalt thou make it. (Torah EXO.30.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire. (Torah LEV.8.32, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices; every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it. (Torah EXO.30.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• How long will Thy jealousy burn like fire? (Writings PSA.79.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• How long shall Thy wrath burn like fire? (Writings PSA.89.47, JPS 1917) tree →
• I would with one step burn it altogether. (Prophets ISA.27.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: "burned" (more American) or "burnt" (more British); "burnt toast" as an adjective. Burning is not reversible. Don't put butter or ice on a burn.