birr

¹

[ bur ]

noun

1. force; energy; vigor.
2. emphasis in statement, speech, etc.
3. a whirring sound.

verb (used without object)

1. to move with or make a whirring sound.

birr

²

[ beer ]

noun

, plural birr.

1. a paper money, silver coin, and monetary unit of Ethiopia, equal to 100 cents: replaced the Ethiopian dollar in 1976.

birr

¹

/ bɜː /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Ethiopia, divided into 100 cents

birr

²

/ bɜː /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a whirring sound

noun

1. a whirring sound
2. force, as of wind
3. vigour; energy

Word History and Origins

Origin of birr¹

1275–1325; Middle English bire, bur, Old English byre strong wind; cognate with Icelandic byrr favorable wind; akin to bear ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of birr¹

C20: from Amharic

Origin of birr²

Old English byre storm, related to Old Norse byrr favourable wind

Example Sentences

Monday's announcement saw Ethiopia’s currency, the birr, lose nearly a third of its value against the dollar.

From BBC

The birr was this week trading at 90 to $1 on the black market, compared to 53 in banks.

From Reuters

His bail was set at 60,000 Ethiopian birr, about $1,170, according to his lawyer.

From Seattle Times

His uncle ransomed the boy for 1,000 birr after four days.

From Salon

While Tigist is referring to the official rate available in banks, the birr has fallen even further in the informal market, Mr Roble says, and has now reached 67 birr against the dollar.

From BBC

Related Words

• ability
• agility
• alertness
• capability
• dynamism
• endurance
• intensity
• potency
• quickness
• strength
• urgency
• vitality