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# burn

verb (burn, burns, burned/burnt, burning); noun (a burn, burns)

«burn» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To be on fire, to make flames and heat: "The wood is burning." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#m1)
2. To damage or destroy with fire or heat: "I burnt the toast." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#m2)
3. To hurt your skin with heat, fire, chemicals or the sun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#m3)
4. To feel very hot or painful: "My eyes burn." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#m4)
5. To use as fuel: "Cars burn petrol." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#m5)
6. As a noun, an injury from heat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#m6)
7. A small stream (Scottish). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#m7)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x1)
- I burnt my finger on the pan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x2)
- Cool a burn under running water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x3)
- Wood burns and turns to ash. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x4)
- Wear sunscreen so your skin doesn't burn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x5)
- The house burned down in the fire. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x6)
- Running burns energy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x7)
- Don't burn the toast! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/#x8)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/burn/#x1)
- And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire. (Torah LEV.8.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/burn/#x2)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/burn/#x3)
- How long will Thy jealousy burn like fire? (Writings PSA.79.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/burn/#x4)
- How long shall Thy wrath burn like fire? (Writings PSA.89.47, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/burn/#x5)
- I would with one step burn it altogether. (Prophets ISA.27.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/burn/#x6)

### 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.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «burn» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/burn/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«burn» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/burn.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «burn» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/burn/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«burn» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/burn.html) on Mova free.