Burns slightly is a term used to describe the process of singeing, which is the burning of hair or fur from an animal's skin. Singeing is often done to remove any remaining hairs that may have been missed during the shearing process. The term 'burns slightly' is also used to describe the process of charring, which is the burning of wood or other materials to create a charred surface. Charring is often used to give wood a unique look and texture.