birr
1[ bur ]
/ bɜr /
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,
- birretta,
- birri,
- birrus,
- birse,
- birth
Origin of birr
11275–1325; Middle English bire, bur, Old English byre strong wind; cognate with Icelandic byrr favorable wind; akin to bear1
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
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
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
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