burn

Pronunciation: bern

Definition:

1. A sensation of pain caused by excessive heat, or similar pain from any cause.
2. A lesion caused by heat or any cauterizing agent, including friction, caustic agents, electricity, or electromagnetic energy; types of burns resulting from different agents are relatively specific and diagnostic. The division of burns into three levels (superficial, partial thickness, full-thickness, [q.v.]) reflects the severity of skin damage (erythema, blisters, charring, respectively).

[A.S. baernan]

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© Copyright 2018 Wolters Kluwer. All Rights Reserved. Review date: Sep 19, 2016.

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