förbränd

Förbränd is an adjective in Swedish used to describe something that has undergone burning, incineration, or extensive heat exposure, resulting in a burnt or charred surface. The term is commonly applied to materials such as wood, metal, or food, as well as to geological or archaeological samples where the surface has been altered by fire. It conveys that the alteration is a consequence of a burning process rather than mere heating.

Etymology and forms: The word is formed from the prefix för- and the verb bränna (to burn). The usual participle form associated with the verb is förbränt; förbränd appears in some contexts as an alternative or context-specific variant. The nuance of förbränd often centers on the state of surface burning or charring rather than general burning of the whole object.

Usage notes: Förbränd is commonly used in scientific, technical, and descriptive language to indicate that an item has been treated or affected by fire, leaving a charred or heat-altered surface. It is related to, but distinct from, bränd, which more generally means burnt; förbränd emphasizes the result of a burning process, sometimes with connotations of surface modification or intentional exposure to heat.

See also: förbränning (combustion), förkolning (carbonization), bränd (burnt).