The term “burnt down” is commonly used to describe a situation where a building, structure or property has been completely destroyed by fire. This phrase is often used to convey the severity of the damage caused by the fire and the extent of the destruction. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and meaning of the term “burnt down”.
Definitions
The term “burnt down” refers to a situation where a building, structure, or property has been completely destroyed by fire. The phrase is often used to describe the aftermath of a fire, where the building or structure has been reduced to ashes or rubble. The term can also be used to describe the process of destruction, where the fire gradually consumes the building until it is completely destroyed.
Origin
The origin of the term “burnt down” can be traced back to the Old English word “bærnan”, which means “to burn”. The word “down” is believed to have been added later, to emphasize the complete destruction caused by the fire. The phrase “burnt down” has been in use for several centuries and has become a common term used to describe the destruction caused by fire.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The term “burnt down” is commonly used in everyday language and is included in most dictionaries. The meaning of the term is generally consistent across different dictionaries. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “burnt down” as “destroyed or consumed by fire”. Merriam-Webster defines it as “completely destroyed by fire”.
Associations
The term “burnt down” is often associated with the loss of property, sentimental value, and memories. When a building or structure is burnt down, it can be a devastating experience for the owners, occupants, and the community. The phrase is also associated with the dangers of fire and the importance of fire safety measures.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for the term “burnt down”, including “destroyed by fire”, “consumed by flames”, “razed to the ground”, and “reduced to ashes”. These terms are often used interchangeably with “burnt down” to describe the destruction caused by fire.
Antonyms
The antonyms of “burnt down” are “intact”, “unscathed”, and “undamaged”. These terms describe a situation where a building or structure has not been damaged by fire and is still standing.
The same root words
The root word of “burnt down” is “burn”, which means “to set on fire”. Other words that share the same root word include “burning”, “burnout”, and “burnished”.
Example Sentences
- The historic building was burnt down in a fire last night.
- The fire department was able to prevent the entire building from burning down.
- The family lost everything when their home burnt down.
- The forest was burnt down in a wildfire that spread rapidly.
- The church was completely burnt down, leaving only the charred remains.