burn1
• verb (past and past part. burned or chiefly Brit. burnt) 1 (of a fire) flame or glow while consuming a fuel. 2 be or cause to be harmed or destroyed by fire. 3 use (a fuel) as a source of heat or energy. 4 (of the skin) become red and painful through exposure to the sun. 5 (be burning with) be entirely possessed by (a desire or emotion). 6 (burn out) become exhausted through overwork. 7 informal drive very fast. • noun an injury caused by burning. — PHRASES burn one’s boats (or bridges) do something which makes turning back impossible. burn the candle at both ends go to bed late and get up early. burn a hole in one’s pocket (of money) tempt one to spend it. burn the midnight oil work late into the night. burn rubber informal drive very quickly. — ORIGIN Old English.
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