/bahrn"berr'neuhr/ , n.
1. Informal. something that is highly exciting, impressive, etc.: The All Stars game was a real barnburner.
2. Chiefly Pennsylvania. a wooden friction match.
3. ( cap. ) a member of the progressive faction in the Democratic party in New York State 1845-52. Cf. Hunker .
[ 1835-45, Amer.; BARN 1 + BURNER; (def. 3) so called with reference to burning down a barn to get rid of rats ]