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View synonyms for burke

burke

1

[ burk ]

verb (used with object)

, burked, burk·ing.
  1. to murder, as by suffocation, so as to leave no or few marks of violence.
  2. to suppress or get rid of by some indirect maneuver.


Burke

2

[ burk ]

noun

  1. Billie Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, 1886–1970, U.S. actress.
  2. Edmund, 1729–97, Irish statesman, orator, and writer.
  3. Kenneth Du·va [doo-, vuh], 1897–1993, U.S. literary critic.

burke

1

/ bɜːk /

verb

  1. to murder in such a way as to leave no marks on the body, usually by suffocation
  2. to get rid of, silence, or suppress


Burke

2

/ bɜːk /

noun

  1. BurkeEdmund17291797MBritishPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: political theoristPOLITICS: orator Edmund . 1729–97, British Whig statesman, conservative political theorist, and orator, born in Ireland: defended parliamentary government and campaigned for a more liberal treatment of the American colonies; denounced the French Revolution
  2. BurkeRobert O'Hara18201861MIrishTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: explorer Robert O'Hara . 1820–61, Irish explorer, who led the first expedition (1860–61) across Australia from south to north. He was accompanied by W. J. Wills, George Grey, and John King; King alone survived the return journey
  3. BurkeWilliam17921829MIrishCRIME AND POLICING: murdererCRIME AND POLICING: bodysnatcher William . 1792–1829, Irish murderer and body snatcher; associate of William Hare

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Other Words From

  • burker burk·ite [bur, -kahyt], noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of burke1

After W. Burke, hanged in 1829 in Edinburgh for murders of this kind

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Word History and Origins

Origin of burke1

C19: named after William Burke , executed in Edinburgh for a murder of this type

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Example Sentences

In lesser hands, Burke’s story could have been a dull history lesson.

Thankfully, Maraniss, who lives with his wife and children in Nashville, transforms Burke’s story from a historical footnote into a vibrantly lived life.

Maraniss, whose first book “Strong Inside” received the Lillian Smith Book Award for civil rights and the RFK Book Awards’ Special Prize for social justice, makes Burke come alive.

Huxley and Burke didn’t mislead themselves for want of a correct definition of life any more than my girlfriend and I realized our error because we had one.

Productivity, Burke found, peaks at about 55 degrees average temperature and then drops as the climate warms.

Robert Kennedy and his Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall brought new energy to the Civil Rights Division.

Now, however, it appears that Democrat Mary Burke leads among women by six points.

No friend of liberty can avoid the tumble back and forth between Burke and Paine.

The USS Arleigh Burke, a destroyer, and USS Philippine Sea, a cruiser, launched a total of 47 Tomahawk missiles.

An earlier Marquette Law School poll showed a tighter race, but with Burke again easily beating Walker by 18 points among women.

"Dangerfield has a heap of friends through this part of the country," commented Burke.

Matt's delight must have been reflected in his face, for Burke's interest in him manifestly deepened.

You see, the smugglers weren't expecting trouble, and Burke took them by surprise.

If Bascomb is one of Burke's men, he couldn't be coming back with two of the Dangerfield gang.

"He'll stand trial, along with the six men captured by Burke," replied the sheriff.

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BurkburnettBurke, Edmund