birr

Meanings

Noun

• strength, vigor, energy
• The force of movement; rush, impetus, momentum, driving force
• A whirring noise
• A strong trilling.
• The currency of Ethiopia, divided into 100 santims.

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.

Related

Similar words

• ETB

Origin

• From Middle English bir ("favorable or strong wind"), from Old English byre ("strong wind, storm"); cognate with Norwegian bør, Icelandic byrr ("sailing winds"), Albanian borë ("snow"), Latin borea ("North wind") and Polish burza ("storm, thunderstorm").
• From Amharic ብር ("silver").