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birl
[ burl ]
/ bɜrl /
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verb (used with object)
Chiefly Northern U.S. Lumbering. to cause (a floating log) to rotate rapidly by treading upon it.
British. to spin or cause to rotate.
verb (used without object)
Chiefly Northern U.S. Lumbering. to cause a floating log to rotate rapidly by treading on it.
British.
- to move or rotate rapidly.
- Informal. to spend money freely.
- Informal. to gamble.
noun
British Informal. an attempt; a gamble.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
OTHER WORDS FROM birl
birler, nounWords nearby birl
birken, Birkenhead, Birkenstock, Birket Karun, birkie, birl, birle, birling, Birman, Birmingham, birne
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use birl in a sentence
Suddenly with one accord they commenced to birl the log from left to right.
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
British Dictionary definitions for birl (1 of 2)
birl1
/ (bɜːl, Scottish bɪrl) /
verb
Scot to spin; twirl
US and Canadian to cause (a floating log) to spin using the feet while standing on it, esp as a sport among lumberjacks
noun
a variant spelling of burl 2
Derived forms of birl
birling, nounWord Origin for birl
C18: probably imitative and influenced by whirl and hurl
British Dictionary definitions for birl (2 of 2)
birl2
/ (bɜːl, Scottish bɪrl) /
verb
archaic, Scot to ply (one's guests, etc) with drink
Word Origin for birl
Old English byrelian; related to byrele cup-bearer
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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