burton

¹

[ bur-tn ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. any of various small tackles for use on shipboard.
2. Spanish burton.

burton

²

[ bur-tn ]

Burton

³

[ bur-tn ]

noun

1. Harold Hitz [hits], 1888–1964, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1945–58.
2. Sir Richard Richard Jenkins, 1925–84, English actor, born in Wales.
3. Sir Richard Francis, 1821–90, English explorer, Orientalist, and writer.
4. Robert Democritus Junior, 1577–1640, English clergyman and author.
5. a town in central Michigan.
6. a male given name.

burton

¹

/ ˈbɜːtən /

noun

1. nautical a kind of light hoisting tackle
2. go for a burton slang.
   1. to be broken, useless, or lost
   2. to die

Burton

²

/ ˈbɜːtən /

noun

1. BurtonSir Richard Francis18211890MEnglishTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: explorerMISC: OrientalistWRITING: writer Sir Richard Francis . 1821–90, English explorer, Orientalist, and writer who discovered Lake Tanganyika with John Speke (1858); produced the first unabridged translation of The Thousand Nights and a Night (1885–88)
2. BurtonRichard19251984MWelshTHEATRE: stage actorFILMS AND TV: actor Richard , real name Richard Jenkins . 1925–84, Welsh stage and film actor: films include Becket (1964), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), and Equus (1977)
3. BurtonRobert15771640MEnglishRELIGION: clergymanMISC: scholarWRITING: writer Robert , pen name Democritus Junior . 1577–1640, English clergyman, scholar, and writer, noted for his Anatomy of Melancholy (1621)
4. BurtonTim1958MUSFILMS AND TV: director Tim. born 1958, US film director whose work includes Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Corpse Bride (2005), and Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Word History and Origins

Origin of burton¹

1695–1705; probably by metathesis from Breton ( takles ), Brytton ( takles ) (late 15th cent.); Breton, Briton

Origin of burton²

First recorded in 1940–45; origin unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of burton¹

C15: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

In the fall, Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” burst from its grave, grossing almost $451 million worldwide, and ranking fourth in this year’s domestic box office.

From Los Angeles Times

On the journey, Mrs Burton described him becoming "more and more agitated" and was sending several text messages.

From BBC

Mrs Burton, who has hearing loss, then saw Mr Thomas banging on her car window distressed.

From BBC

The following morning his grandmother, Sharon Burton, agreed to drive Mr Thomas to Llandaff, because he said he wanted to walk the dog.

From BBC

Mrs Burton then found a wounded Mr Bush on the patio outside the property and she began to give him CPR.

From BBC