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Added 10 October 2026

birr

/bɜː/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about birr at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Strength, vigor, energy.
The force of movement; rush, impetus, momentum, driving force.
A whirring noise.

verb

To make a whirring noise; make a noise like that of revolving wheels, or of millstones at work.
To lurch or set to spinning.

noun

The currency of Ethiopia, divided into 100 santims.

Origin

From Middle English bir (“favorable or strong wind”), from Old English byre (“strong wind, storm”); cognate with Norwegian Nynorsk bør, Icelandic byrr (“sailing winds”), Albanian borë (“snow”), and Polish burza (“storm, thunderstorm”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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