burley

¹

[ bur-lee ]

noun

, (often initial capital letter)

, plural bur·leys.

1. an American tobacco with thin leaves and light color, grown especially in Kentucky and nearby regions, used mostly in cigarettes.

burley

²

[ bur-lee ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural bur·leys.

1. a burlesque show.

Burley

³

[ bur-lee ]

noun

1. a male given name.

burley

¹

/ ˈbɜːlɪ /

noun

1. a light thin-leaved tobacco, grown esp in Kentucky

burley

²

/ ˈbɜːlɪ /

noun

1. See berley
   a variant spelling of berley

Word History and Origins

Origin of burley¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; apparently from proper name

Origin of burley²

burlecue, burleycue

Word History and Origins

Origin of burley¹

C19: probably from the name Burley

Example Sentences

Its roots are agrarian, the rich bottomlands of Graves County providing ideal conditions for the burley leaf tobacco my grandfather grew there.

From Time

She planned to use her work lunch break to see her doctor in Burley, about nine-and-a-half miles away.

From The Daily Beast

"There's Burley," said Blackie, clad in a long oilskin and a sou'wester as he checked off the home-coming adventurers.

From Project Gutenberg

He died in the course of a few days, at the age of seventy-seven, and was buried in Burley churchyard, near Otley.

From Project Gutenberg

"Not so," answered Sir Simon Burley, who had watched the approaching host with a darkening face.

From Project Gutenberg

Burley lay senseless, stunned by a blow from a mace, and half of the men-at-arms lay littered upon the ground around him.

From Project Gutenberg

Some minutes before this Mr. Burley rushed from the mansion on Telegraph Hill without meeting or taking formal leave of anybody.

From Project Gutenberg