Sunburn: meaning, definitions and examples
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sunburn
[ ˈsʌn.bɜrn ]
skin damage
Sunburn is a type of skin damage that occurs due to overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. It leads to redness, pain, and sometimes peeling of the skin. It can also increase the risk of skin cancer with prolonged exposure.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- After a day at the beach, I got a bad sunburn.
- She applied sunscreen but still suffered from sunburn.
- Doctors recommend wearing protective clothing to prevent sunburn.
- He treated his sunburn with aloe vera gel.
Etymology
The term 'sunburn' comes from the combination of 'sun,' which originates from the Old English word 'sunne,' and 'burn,' which derives from Old English 'byrnian.' Historically, people have been aware of skin damage caused by the sun for centuries. Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, recognized the harmful effects of too much sun exposure. In the modern era, with increased leisure activities involving sun exposure, the importance of understanding sunburn has grown. This has led to the development of sunscreen products and public health campaigns aimed at educating people on safe sun practices. The term itself began to appear in English literature in the 19th century as the risks associated with sun exposure became more widely acknowledged.