DCHP-1 Online
burn ((n.)) 
1 n. in clearing land, the process of piling and setting fire to the brush (def. 1).
See also: brush ((n.)) (def. 1)
- 1792 (1911) [The way of clearing land in this country is cutting down all the small wood, pile it and set it on fire.]
- 1832 (1953) By these means, in the Canadian phrase, you "get a good burn," upon which the excellence of your crop mainly depends. That part of the field which is not burned black, never produces so good wheat, as that which is.
- 1955 After the burn, the black ash on the ground added important elements to the coming new growth.
2 n. a forest fire.
- 1834 (1838) A great burn [occurred], during which the wind rose so high as to endanger my shanty and adjoining buildings.
- 1957 The total estimated burn figure is very difficult to arrive at with any accuracy because of the vast areas involved and the infrequency of travel over most parts.
3 n. an area that has been burnt out by a forest fire, characterized by charred stumps and rampikes.
- 1931 Huge burns, of ancient and unknown origin, lie like scars, across the landscape.
- 1963 The rolling hills along the Kootenay . . . are parklike with their copses of fir, tamarack, poplar and willow . . . left standing in old log slashes or burns.
- 1792 (1911) [The way of clearing land in this country is cutting down all the small wood, pile it and set it on fire.]