† forˈburn, v. Obs.
For forms see burn.
[αOE. forbęrnan (trans.) = OHG. ferbrennan (Ger. verbrennen). βOE. forbeornan, -byrnan str. (intr.) = OHG. farprinnan.]
1. trans. To destroy, torture, or injure by burning.
| O.E. Chron. an. 685 Þone [Mul] mon eft on Cent for⁓bærnde. c 1000 ælfric Exod. iii. 3 Ic ga and ᵹeseo..hwi þeos þyrne ne si forbærned. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 27 He mahte iseon ane berninde glede þet hine al for-bernað þurut to cole. 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 378 Seyn Poules chyrche of Londone was ek verbarnd þo. a 1400 Octouian 216 With ryght sche schall Be all for-brent. c 1440 Jacob's Well 10 Þus for-brent, he roryd as a deuyl for peyne. |
2. intr. To burn, be burnt, or consumed. Also, To be on fire. lit. and fig.
| Beowulf 1667 (Gr.) Forbarn broᵹden mæl. c 893 K. ælfred Oros. vi. i, Com micel fyrbyrne on Romeburᵹ, þæt þær⁓binnan forburnon xv tunas. a 1250 Owl & Night. 419 Vor thu forbernest wel neȝ for onde. a 1350 Leg. Rood (1871) 23 Euerich stude þat we on stepten for brende al wiþ vre fete. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 3286 Sone ous tyd her for-brenne wyþ sorȝe & deshonour. |