birken

[ bur-kuhn; Scots bir-kuhn ]

/ ˈbɜr kən; Scots ˈbɪr kən /

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adjective Scot. and North England.

birchen; birch.

QUIZ

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Origin of birken

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at birk, -en²

Long before the buildings of Kinton's institute came into view, they received a radio message about Birken.
Exile|Horace Brown Fyfe
Seeing that no one ran after him, Birken slowed his pace, but kept walking toward the ship.
Exile|Horace Brown Fyfe
By the time his passengers had alighted, however, Birken had drawn level with them, about fifty feet away.
Exile|Horace Brown Fyfe
Kinton had stepped forward six or eight paces, irritated despite his anxiety at the way Birken persisted in drifting before him.
Exile|Horace Brown Fyfe

He decided that Birken had not come close enough for that, and wondered if he was afraid of his own impending action.
Exile|Horace Brown Fyfe