burned-over
Definition
- Adjective:
- Destroyed or badly damaged by fire: Describes an area, object, or structure that has been severely affected by a fire, often to the point of being charred, blackened, or reduced to ashes.
Usage
- The term "burned-over" is used to describe the aftermath of a fire. It emphasizes the extent of the damage caused by flames.
- It is typically used attributively (before a noun) to modify the thing that was burned.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The firefighters surveyed the burned-over forest, a landscape of blackened trees and ash.
- Archaeologists found artifacts in the burned-over remains of the ancient settlement.
- The burned-over field would take years to recover its fertility.
Advanced Usage
- "Burned-over district": A historical term originating in 19th-century America, referring to regions in western New York that were so heavily evangelized by religious revivals that they were considered spiritually exhausted or "burned over" and not receptive to further revivalism. This is a specialized, figurative use.
- The region became known as the "burned-over district" due to the intensity of the religious movements that swept through it.
Variants and Related Words
- Burnt-over (adj): A less common variant spelling with the same meaning.
- Charred (adj): Blackened by fire; often used for smaller objects or surfaces.
- Scorched (adj): Burned superficially or discolored by heat.
- Fire-ravaged (adj): A more dramatic synonym emphasizing widespread destruction by fire.
Synonyms
- Fire-damaged
- Fire-blackened
- Charred
- Scorched
Antonyms
- Unscathed
- Intact
- Undamaged
Adjective
-
destroyed or badly damaged by fire
-
a row of burned houses
-
a charred bit of burnt wood
-
a burned-over site in the forest
-
barricaded the street with burnt-out cars
-
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