forburn

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English forburnen, forbrinnen, from Old English forbirnan (intransitive) and forbærnan (transitive), equivalent to for- +‎ burn. Cognate with Saterland Frisian ferbaadenje, ferbaanje (to burn up), West Frisian ferbarne (to burn up), German Low German verbrannen (to burn up), German verbrennen (to burn up, incinerate).

Verb

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forburn (third-person singular simple present forburns, present participle forburning, simple past and past participle forburned or forburnt)

  1. (transitive) To destroy, torture, or injure by burning; burn up; burn down.
    • 1852, Alfred (King of England), The whole works of King Alfred the Great:
      [He] sent then a host thither and bade slay all the town-ship, and forburn the town.
  2. (intransitive) To burn; be burnt; be consumed by fire; to be on fire.