burn in(to) (something)

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burn in(to) (something)

1. To use heat to engrave or etch something into a material. We need to burn in the letters first, then you can work on the rest of your design.
2. To cause to leave a lasting imprint on someone or something. Unfortunately, the image of you two kissing is now burned into my memory! Gross! This material needs to be burned into your mind before the big test.
3. To cause to remain permanently visible on a screen, as can happen when an image has been continuously displayed on a screen for a long period of time. That image could get burned into the TV if you leave the movie paused for much longer.
4. To use light exposure to darken or lighten areas of a photograph or negative. Now burn in the shadows on this side of the picture.
5. To use a new piece of electronic equipment for a certain period of time to confirm that it works properly. We definitely need to burn in this new server before we put it online.
See also: burn

burn something in

Fig. to run a piece of new electronic equipment for a while to make certain that all the electrical parts will last a long time. Please burn this computer in for a couple of hours before you deliver it. The technician burned in the computer.
See also: burn

burn something into something

 and burn something in 
1. Lit. to engrave, brand, or etch marks or letters into something by the use of great heat. She burned her initials into the handle of the umbrella. She burned in her initials.
2. Fig. to implant something firmly in someone's head, brain, memory, etc. She burned the information into her head. The events of the day burned in sad memories.
See also: burn

burn into

Make an indelible impression on, as in An event like the Holocaust burns into the minds of all the survivors, or The scene was burned into her memory. This expression alludes to such processes as etching or engraving, where a caustic substance bites into a solid plate to make a design. [Early 1800s]
See also: burn

burn in

1. To engrave or etch something, such as marks or letters, on a surface by the use of intense heat: I burned in the image of an eagle and then varnished the wood.
2. To darken or brighten a part of a photographic print or negative by exposing unmasked areas: Burn in the edges of the picture to create a darkened border. You can burn in the highlights to enhance their effect.
3. To become a permanently visible image due to constant exposure: The message was displayed on the computer screen so long that it burned in.
4. To implant something firmly in the memory: I repeated the poem over and over again to burn it in my mind. The image of the forest fire has been burned in my memory.
See also: burn