burning
the act of burning something
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,349 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 13,590 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.006% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- the act of burning something also: combustion the burning of leaves was prohibited by a town ordinance
- pain that feels hot as if it were on fire also: burn
- a process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light also: combustion
- execution by electricity also: electrocution
- execution by fire also: burning at the stake
- a form of torture in which cigarettes or cigars or other hot implements are used to burn the victim's skin
adjective
- of immediate import burning issues of the day
burning in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Each burning boat in Caesar’s rear, Flames—No return through me!
John Marr and Other Poems · Herman Melville · Chapter 1
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Under his placid countenance revolved thoughts of the most burning covetousness.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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It was horrible--the man dying by slow torture in the midst of smoke from his own burning flesh.
The Red Record Tabulated Statistics · Ida B. Wells-Barnett · Chapter 1
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In my little cottage he seemed like a giant, six-foot-two, broad, and swart with the burning fire of tropical suns.
The Betrayal · E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim · Chapter 1
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The vestal virgins, whose duty it was to keep the fire burning on the altar in the temple of Vesta.
Narrative and Lyric Poems (first series) · O. J. [Annotator] Stevenson · Chapter 1