burke

¹

[ burk ]

verb (used with object)

, burked, burk·ing.

1. to murder, as by suffocation, so as to leave no or few marks of violence.
2. to suppress or get rid of by some indirect maneuver.

Burke

²

[ burk ]

noun

1. Billie Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, 1886–1970, U.S. actress.
2. Edmund, 1729–97, Irish statesman, orator, and writer.
3. Kenneth Du·va [doo-, vuh], 1897–1993, U.S. literary critic.

Burke

¹

/ bɜːk /

noun

1. BurkeEdmund17291797MBritishPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: political theoristPOLITICS: orator Edmund . 1729–97, British Whig statesman, conservative political theorist, and orator, born in Ireland: defended parliamentary government and campaigned for a more liberal treatment of the American colonies; denounced the French Revolution
2. BurkeRobert O'Hara18201861MIrishTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: explorer Robert O'Hara . 1820–61, Irish explorer, who led the first expedition (1860–61) across Australia from south to north. He was accompanied by W. J. Wills, George Grey, and John King; King alone survived the return journey
3. BurkeWilliam17921829MIrishCRIME AND POLICING: murdererCRIME AND POLICING: bodysnatcher William . 1792–1829, Irish murderer and body snatcher; associate of William Hare

burke

²

/ bɜːk /

verb

1. to murder in such a way as to leave no marks on the body, usually by suffocation
2. to get rid of, silence, or suppress

Other Words From

• burker burk·ite [bur, -kahyt], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of burke¹

After W. Burke, hanged in 1829 in Edinburgh for murders of this kind

Word History and Origins

Origin of burke¹

C19: named after William Burke , executed in Edinburgh for a murder of this type

Example Sentences

It was a singular fact that the really effective means of burking inquiry by the local authorities only occurred to Armathwaite's perplexed brain as he was hurrying back to the Grange.

From Project Gutenberg

"If that man does that again, burke him!" he whispered.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm not even allowed to weed my own garden now," John thought, burking the point at issue; and his disillusionment became so profound that he actually invited Harold to go for a walk with him.

From Project Gutenberg

But, of course, it couldn't fail, unless it was burked.

From Project Gutenberg

I am sorry to say that, stenographically speaking, I burked Isaiah, and contented myself with the long-hand abbreviation, Is., and as to the text itself, I thought the first three words would suffice.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abolish
• censor
• conceal
• contain
• cover up
• crack down on
• crush
• curb
• cut off
• muzzle
• overcome
• overthrow
• put an end to
• put down
• quash
• quell
• quench
• repress
• silence
• snuff out