burgess

[ bur-jis ]

/ ˈbɜr dʒɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR burgess ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

American History. a representative in the popular branch of the colonial legislature of Virginia or Maryland.

(formerly) a representative of a borough in the British Parliament.

Rare. an inhabitant of an English borough.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of burgess

1175–1225; Middle English burgeis < Anglo-French, Old French, equivalent to burg city (< Germanic) + -eis < Latin -ēnsis -ensis; cf. -ese

Definition for burgess (2 of 2)

Burgess

[ bur-jis ]

/ ˈbɜr dʒɪs /

noun

Anthony,1917–93, English novelist and critic.

(Frank) Ge·lett

[juh-let] /dʒəˈlɛt/, 1866–1951, U.S. illustrator and humorist.

Thornton Waldo,1874–1965, U.S. author, especially of children's books.

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for burgess

Calls to Burgess to comment on this story were not returned.
The Navy ‘Hero’ Who Pimped an HIV-Positive Teen|M.L. Nestel|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In any case, Burgess likes to rail against these pushy liberals and their tricky, communistic light bulbs.
The GOP’s Relentless Crusade to Save America From Commie Light Bulbs|Michael Tomasky|January 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Burgess, nominated for Earthly Powers, would not attend the ceremony unless the committee guaranteed him a win.
The 12 Biggest Booker Prize Controversies|Thomas Flynn|July 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was Philby, it turned out, who alerted Maclean and Burgess that they should escape to the Soviet Union in 1951.
Edward Snowden Risks Sharing Fate of Kim Philby, Guy Burgess & More|Malcolm Jones|July 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Any public attention had been on his possible role in tipping off Burgess and Maclean.
The Charmed Life of a Traitor|Harold Evans|November 6, 2009|DAILY BEAST
"I must be nervous," Professor Burgess said, trying to manage Dennie's umbrella and catching it in her hair.
A Master's Degree|Margaret Hill McCarter
These "jumpings off" had become rather frequent lately, and Burgess was enraged at one happening on this particular day.
For the Term of His Natural Life|Marcus Clarke
As for our artist, he is a burgess among burgesses,—a man of the people par excellence, and an Englishman above all.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 87, January, 1865|Various
But the fact is, Mr. Burgess, we've known him almost since we were infants, and of course we take an interest in his welfare.
He Knew He Was Right|Anthony Trollope
The two men looked at each other, and presently Burgess's eyes fell before those of the chaplain.
For the Term of His Natural Life|Marcus Clarke

British Dictionary definitions for burgess (1 of 2)

burgess

/ (ˈbɜːdʒɪs) /

noun

(in England)

a citizen or freeman of a borough
any inhabitant of a borough

English history a Member of Parliament from a borough, corporate town, or university

a member of the colonial assembly of Maryland or Virginia

Word Origin for burgess

C13: from Old French burgeis, from borc town, from Late Latin burgus, of Germanic origin; see borough

British Dictionary definitions for burgess (2 of 2)

Burgess

/ (ˈbɜːdʒɪs) /

noun

Anthony, real name John Burgess Wilson . 1917–93, English novelist and critic: his novels include A Clockwork Orange (1962), Tremor of Intent (1966), Earthly Powers (1980), and Any Old Iron (1989)

Guy . 1911–63, British spy, who fled to the Soviet Union (with Donald Maclean) in 1951

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

Word Origin and History for burgess

burgess

c.1200, burgeis "citizen of a borough," from Old French borjois (Modern French bourgeois), from Late Latin burgensis (see bourgeois). Applied from late 15c. to borough representatives in Parliament and used later in Virginia and other colonies used to denote members of the legislative body, while in Pennsylvania, etc., it meant "member of the governing council of a borough."