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Birl

//bɝl// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A type of grace note movement that quickly switches between low-A and low-G several times, producing a low rippling sound.
  2. 2
    A girl of boyish appearance. Internet

    "Affirmation of the desirability of birls is a key element throughout this online site even when complex issues of gender and sexual positioning are being worked through."

Verb
  1. 1
    To spin. Scotland, ambitransitive

    "About nine in the morning, in a burst of wintry sun between two squalls of hail, I had my first look of Holland - a line of windmills birling in the breeze."

  2. 2
    Alternative form of birle (“to drink, carouse”). alt-of, alternative

    "So saying, he led the way out through halls and trances that were weel kend to my gudesire, and into the auld oak parlour; and there was as much singing of profane sangs^([sic]), and birling of red wine, and speaking blasphemy and sculduddry, as had ever been in Redgauntlet Castle when it was at the blithest."

  3. 3
    cause to spin wordnet
  4. 4
    To cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading on it. transitive

    ""That's nothing!" my companion repressed me, "anybody can birl a log. Watch this." Roaring Dick for the first time unfolded his arms. With some appearance of caution he balanced his unstable footing into absolute immobility. Then he turned a somersault."

  5. 5
    cause a floating log to rotate by treading wordnet
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  1. 6
    To throw down a coin as one's share in a joint contribution. transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English birlen.

Etymology 2

From Middle English birlen.

Etymology 3

See birle.

Etymology 4

Blend of boy + girl.

See also for "birl"

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