burnet

¹

[ ber-net, bur-nit ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genera Sanguisorba and Poterium, of the rose family, having pinnate leaves and dense heads of small flowers.

Burnet

²

[ ber-net, bur-nit ]

noun

1. Sir (Frank) Mac·far·lane [m, uh, k-, fahr, -l, uh, n], 1899–1985, Australian physician: Nobel Prize in Physiology 1960.

Burnet

¹

/ bəˈnɛt; ˈbɜːnɪt /

noun

1. BurnetGilbert16431715MScottishRELIGION: clergymanHISTORY: historian Gilbert . 1643–1715, Scottish bishop and historian, who played a prominent role in the Glorious Revolution (1688–89); author of The History of My Own Times (2 vols: 1724 and 1734)
2. BurnetSir (Frank) Macfarlane18991985MAustralianMEDICINE: physicianSCIENCE: virologist Sir ( Frank ) Macfarlane (məkˈfɑːlən). 1899–1985, Australian physician and virologist, who shared a Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 1960 with P. B. Medawar for their work in immunology
3. BurnetThomas16351715MEnglishRELIGION: theologian Thomas . 1635–1715, English theologian who tried to reconcile science and religion in his Sacred theory of the Earth (1680–89)

burnet

²

/ ˈbɜːnɪt /

noun

1. a plant of the rosaceous genus Sanguisorba (or Poterium ), such as S. minor (or P. sanguisorba ) ( salad burnet ), which has purple-tinged green flowers and leaves that are sometimes used for salads
2. burnet rose or Scotch rose
   a very prickly Eurasian rose, Rosa pimpinellifolia , with white flowers and purplish-black fruits
3. burnet saxifrage
   a Eurasian umbelliferous plant of the genus Pimpinella , having umbrella-like clusters of white or pink flowers
4. a moth of the genus Zygaena , having red-spotted dark green wings and antennae with enlarged tips: family Zygaenidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of burnet¹

1225–75; Middle English < Middle French burnete, variant of brunete ( brunet ); so called from its hue

Word History and Origins

Origin of burnet¹

C14: from Old French burnete , variant of brunete dark brown (see brunette ); so called from the colour of the flowers of some of the plants

Example Sentences

It was bad news in the sailing though, as it all went wrong on the start line for John Gimson and Anna Burnet in the mixed multi-hull medal race.

From BBC

Texas is also expected to be an epicenter for the event and, with its range of scenery, festivals and other activities in places like Burnet, Sulphur Springs and Lampasas, could draw up to 700,000 visitors, according to the eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler, who has been keeping track of visitation probability in various areas.

From New York Times

Mr. Rufo and Mr. Burnet acknowledged that some critics “might object to any punishment, arguing that her dissertation is decades old, or that these instances of plagiarism appear to be highly technical, or even trivial.”

From Washington Times

On Aug. 26, publicist Roger Neal — who spoke on behalf of Barker’s longtime friend Nancy Burnet — said that Barker died of natural causes but did not reveal additional details.

From Los Angeles Times

Neal attributed Barker’s longevity to his longtime companion Nancy Burnet, crediting her as “the reason he was able to live for so long.”

From Seattle Times