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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

Burned-Over District en · PROPN

Etymology

Coined by Charles Grandison Finney, who in his 1876 book Autobiography of Charles G. Finney referred to a "burnt district" to denote an area in central and western New York State during the Second Great Awakening. He felt that the area had been so heavily evangelized as to have no "fuel" (unconverted population) left over to "burn" (convert).

Meanings

  1. A nickname for portions of Western New York State, where there was much religious fervor during the Second Great Awakening.

Forms

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burned-over district alternative lexicographic