burning

• (General American) IPA^(key): /bɝnɪŋ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /bɜːnɪŋ/

• Audio (US)

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• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)nɪŋ

burning

1. present participle of burn

burning (comparative more burning, superlative most burning)

1. So hot as to seem to burn (something).

   the burning sun

   • 1892, James Yoxall, chapter 5, in The Lonely Pyramid:

     The desert storm was riding in its strength; the travellers lay beneath the mastery of the fell simoom. Whirling wreaths and columns of burning wind, rushed around and over them.

2. Feeling very hot.

   burning skin

3. Feeling great passion.

   her burning heart

4. Consuming; intense; inflaming; exciting; vehement; powerful.

   burning zeal

   • (Can we date this quote?) John Dryden

     like a young hound upon a burning scent

5. Being keenly discussed.

   a burning question; a burning issue

burning (plural burnings)

1. The act by which something burns or is burned.
   • 1828, Timothy Flint, The Western Monthly Review, volume 1, page 403:

     It gives a fine delineation of the burnings of shame, disappointed ambition, and vengeance […]

   • 1850, The Edinburgh Review, Or Critical Journal (volume 91, page 93)

     The propriety of the dissolution, too, was speedily seen in the improved state of the public peace: for twelve years we hear little of Orange riots, and nothing of such burnings and wreckings as those of Maghera, Maghery, and Annahagh.

2. A fire.

   The burnings continued all day.

• Bruning