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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

1
1275–1325; Middle English bire, bur,Old English byre strong wind; cognate with Icelandic byrr favorable wind; akin to bear1

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. 2023

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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