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winterbourne

[win-ter-bawrn, -bohrn, -boo rn]
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noun
  1. a channel filled only at a time of excessive rainfall.

Origin of winterbourne

before 950; Old English winterburna (not recorded in ME). See winter, burn2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for winterbourne

Historical Examples

  • She stood there, smiling and smoothing her bonnet ribbons; she glanced at Winterbourne.

    Daisy Miller

    Henry James

  • "You will find I am not so stiff as several others," said Winterbourne, smiling.

    Daisy Miller

    Henry James

  • Then looking back at Winterbourne, "I shouldn't think you would let people be so unkind!"

    Daisy Miller

    Henry James

  • "I never was better pleased in my life," murmured Winterbourne.

    Daisy Miller

    Henry James

  • Winterbourne was watching the young girl; at this question his attention quickened.

    Daisy Miller

    Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for winterbourne

winterbourne

noun
  1. a stream flowing only after heavy rainfall, esp in winter

Word Origin

Old English winterburna; see winter, burn ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012