burgee

[ bur-jee, bur-jee ]

noun

1. a triangular flag or one having a shallow, angular indentation in the fly, forming two tails, used as an identification flag, especially by yachts.

burgee

/ ˈbɜːdʒiː /

noun

1. nautical a triangular or swallow-tailed flag flown from the mast of a merchant ship for identification and from the mast of a yacht to indicate its owner's membership of a particular yacht club

Word History and Origins

Origin of burgee¹

1840–50; perhaps shortening of *burgee's flag, by reanalysis of *burgess flag, burgess translating French bourgeois in sense “owner” (of a ship)

Word History and Origins

Origin of burgee¹

C18: perhaps from French (Jersey dialect) bourgeais shipowner, from Old French borgeis ; see bourgeois ¹, burgess

Example Sentences

The limit in the number of members was increased from 200 to 300, and the club burgee also underwent a change.

From Project Gutenberg

The race was under the Royal London burgee, and was sailed in gloomy weather and a smart (p. 355) north-east breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

He appeared on deck presently with a long blue burgee on which was emblazoned in white letters the single word Maggie.

From Project Gutenberg

That makes us pirates, and that old Maggie burgee floatin' at the fore ain't nothin' more nor less than the Jolly Roger.

From Project Gutenberg

He did meet Deacon Burgee, who stared at him with more of rage than of amazement in his wrinkled countenance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emblem
• headline
• pennant
• streamer