birr

UK /bɜː/US /bɝ/

noun4

•
(Scotland) Strength, vigor, energy.
- Your chanter sets us a ' a-steer, Get out your pipes and blaw wi' birr, We'll dance the Highland fling — 1851
•
(Scotland) The force of movement; rush, impetus, momentum, driving force.
- A chaise in full birr came upon her and knocked her down. — 1822
•
(Scotland) A whirring noise.
- O' the sounds o' love and joy, There's nane sae pleasant as the birr o' Scotland's spinnin' wheel. — 1837
•
(Scotland) A strong trilling.
- Nae mair he will wi' rattlin' birr, Sing to his soul-inspirin' girr, The dormant Gothamites to stir, His powers to heed — 1865

•
(Scotland) To make a whirring noise; make a noise like that of revolving wheels, or of millstones at work.
- The gudewife birrs wi ' the wheel a' day, Three threeds an' a thrum, Three threeds an' a thrum, — 1883
•
(Scotland) To lurch or set to spinning.
- His cowt grew reezy, its lang tail 'Twad swash, and lugs wad birr up, At length it cuist him, and did trail Him hame, by fit i'e stirrup, — 1824

birr

UK /bɪə/US /bɪɚ/

forms

birred · birring · birrs