definitions

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.

RELATED WORDS

vigor, potency, zest, zip, pep, vitality, stamina, fortitude, verve, gusto, starch, efficiency, capability, efficacy, agility, strength, ability, endurance, quickness, intensity

Nearby words

birne, biro, birobidzhan, biromantic, birota, birr, birretta, birri, birrus, birse, birth

Origin of birr

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

Definition for birr (2 of 2)

birr

2
[ 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for birr

British Dictionary definitions for birr (1 of 2)

birr

1
/ (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)

birr

2
/ (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