barnburner

[ bahrn-bur-ner ]

noun
  1. Informal. something that is highly exciting, impressive, etc.: The All Stars game was a real barnburner.

  2. Chiefly Pennsylvania. a wooden friction match.

  1. (initial capital letter) a member of the progressive faction in the Democratic Party in New York State 1845–52.: Compare Hunker.

Origin of barnburner

1
1835–45, Americanism;barn1 + burner; (def. 3) so called with reference to burning down a barn to get rid of rats

Words Nearby barnburner

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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