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birr
1[ bur ]
/ bɜr /
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noun
force; energy; vigor.
emphasis in statement, speech, etc.
a whirring sound.
verb (used without object)
to move with or make a whirring sound.
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Origin of birr
11275–1325; Middle English bire, bur,Old English byre strong wind; cognate with Icelandic byrr favorable wind; akin to bear1
Words nearby birr
birne, Biro, Birobidzhan, biromantic, birota, birr, birrus, birse, birth, birth canal, birth certificate
Other definitions for birr (2 of 2)
birr2
[ beer ]
/ bɪər /
noun, plural birr.
a paper money, silver coin, and monetary unit of Ethiopia, equal to 100 cents: replaced the Ethiopian dollar in 1976.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use birr in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for birr (1 of 2)
birr1
/ (bɜː) mainly US and Scot /
verb
to make or cause to make a whirring sound
noun
a whirring sound
force, as of wind
vigour; energy
Word Origin for birr
Old English byre storm, related to Old Norse byrr favourable wind
British Dictionary definitions for birr (2 of 2)
birr2
/ (bɜː) /
noun
the standard monetary unit of Ethiopia, divided into 100 cents
Word Origin for birr
C20: from Amharic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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