birl

[ burl ]

verb (used with object)

1. Chiefly Northern U.S. Lumbering. to cause (a floating log) to rotate rapidly by treading upon it.
2. British. to spin or cause to rotate.

verb (used without object)

1. Chiefly Northern U.S. Lumbering. to cause a floating log to rotate rapidly by treading on it.
2. British.
   1. to move or rotate rapidly.
   2. Informal. to spend money freely.
   3. Informal. to gamble.

noun

1. British Informal. an attempt; a gamble.

birl

¹

/ bɜːl; bɪrl /

verb

1. to spin; twirl
2. to cause (a floating log) to spin using the feet while standing on it, esp as a sport among lumberjacks

noun

1. a variant spelling of burl 2

birl

²

/ bɪrl; bɜːl /

verb

1. archaic.
   to ply (one's guests, etc) with drink

Derived Forms

• ˈbirling, noun

Other Words From

• birler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of birl¹

1715–25; perhaps blend of birr ¹ and whirl, influenced, in some senses, by birle

Word History and Origins

Origin of birl¹

C18: probably imitative and influenced by whirl and hurl

Origin of birl²

Old English byrelian ; related to byrele cup-bearer