birr
(redirected from birred)Also found in: Thesaurus, Financial.
birr 1
(bûr)n.
1. A whirring sound.
2. Strong forward momentum; driving force.
intr.v. birred, birr·ing, birrs
To make a whirring sound.
birr 2
(bîr)n. pl. birr or birrs
See Table at currency.
[Amharic bərr, silver, silver taler bearing the portrait of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa (used as currency throughout East Africa and the Indian Ocean region until recent times), birr; see brr in Semitic roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
birr
(bɜː)vb
to make or cause to make a whirring sound
n
1. a whirring sound
2. force, as of wind
3. vigour; energy
[Old English byre storm, related to Old Norse byrr favourable wind]
birr
(bɜː)n
(Currencies) the standard monetary unit of Ethiopia, divided into 100 cents
[C20: from Amharic]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
birr
(bɪər)n., pl. birr.
the basic monetary unit of Ethiopia.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
birr
Past participle: birred
Gerund: birring
| Imperative |
|---|
| birr |
| birr |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | birr - the basic unit of money in Ethiopia; equal to 100 cents Ethiopian monetary unit - monetary unit in Ethiopia cent - a fractional monetary unit of several countries |
| 2. | birr - sound of something in rapid motion; "whir of a bird's wings"; "the whir of the propellers" sound - the sudden occurrence of an audible event; "the sound awakened them" | |
| Verb | 1. | birr - make a soft swishing sound; "the motor whirred"; "the car engine purred" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.