DCHP-2

burn ((n.)) DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 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.

  See also: rampike  brulé  

  • 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.