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definitions

birr

1
[bur]
See more synonyms for birr on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. force; energy; vigor.
  2. emphasis in statement, speech, etc.
  3. a whirring sound.
verb (used without object)
  1. to move with or make a whirring sound.

Origin of birr

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

birr

2
[beer]
noun, plural birr.
  1. 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. 2018

Related Words for birr

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

Examples from the Web for birr

Historical Examples of birr

  • When the British Tommies heard the "birr" of the five-inch Canadian shells they all asked whose they were.

    The Red Watch

    J. A. Currie

  • Once he heard the birr of his father's voice in the lobby and his mother speaking in shrill protest, and then—oh, horror!

  • His great reflector, built in his own grounds at Birr Castle, Ireland, was finished in 1844.

  • A quick run of nine miles brings us to the quaint old city of Birr, just as the night closes in.

    Wanderings in Ireland

    Michael Myers Shoemaker

  • Birr is the very centre of Ireland, and probably takes airs to herself in consequence.

    Wanderings in Ireland

    Michael Myers Shoemaker

British Dictionary definitions for birr

birr

1
verb
  1. to make or cause to make a whirring sound
noun
  1. a whirring sound
  2. force, as of wind
  3. vigour; energy

Word Origin for birr

Old English byre storm, related to Old Norse byrr favourable wind

birr

2
noun
  1. 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