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

Plastic bags fluttered in the wind, caught on the thorns of the wild burnet roses.

From The Daily Beast

The child's literary education was directed by Burnet, with the title of Preceptor.

From Project Gutenberg

But it soon appeared that many who could not help smiling at Burnet's weaknesses did justice to his abilities and virtues.

From Project Gutenberg

Burnet's very name sufficed to raise among the High Churchmen a storm of mingled merriment and anger.

From Project Gutenberg

The ignominious failure of the attacks on Somers and Burnet seemed to prove that the assembly was coming round to a better temper.

From Project Gutenberg

The reason for this apparent divergence between the provisions of the statute and the facts of the case is given by Burnet.

From Project Gutenberg