What does "bourdon" mean?
The burden or bass of a melody.
Bourdon
/ˈbʊədən/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The burden or bass of a melody.
- Grammar: bourdon is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: bass, bassoon, bridge, burden.
- Usage evidence: The earth tremors resumed and made a bourdon to the loud psalms that they sang, interspersed with the odd ode of Horace recited by Silas.
How to use "bourdon"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bourdon" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bourdon" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "bourdon" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "bourdon" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bourdon" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "bass" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "bourdon", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The burden or bass of a melody. archaic
"The earth tremors resumed and made a bourdon to the loud psalms that they sang, interspersed with the odd ode of Horace recited by Silas."
- 2 Unadapted borrowing from French bourdon; a pilgrim's staff. historical
"The left hand was gone, this held the bourdon or pilgrim's staff, a small portion only of which appeared over the scrip."
- 3 A flute stop on an organ of 8', 16' or 32', generally characterized by a low, dark tone.
- 4 a pipe of the bagpipe that is tuned to produce a single continuous tone wordnet
- 5 The drone pipe of a bagpipe.
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 The lowest-pitched stop of an organ.
"The dim roar of London was like the bourdon note of a distant organ."
- 7 The lowest-pitched bell of a carillon.
- 8 A large, low-pitched bell not part of a diatonically tuned ring of bells.
- 9 A bumblebee, genus Bombus.
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from French.
Example
"The earth tremors resumed and made a bourdon to the loud psalms that they sang, interspersed with the odd ode of Horace recited by Silas."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bourdon"?
Common synonyms include: bass, bassoon, bridge, burden, cadence, cello.
How do you use "bourdon" in a sentence?
The earth tremors resumed and made a bourdon to the loud psalms that they sang, interspersed with the odd ode of Horace recited by Silas.
How do you pronounce "bourdon"?
Pronounced /ˈbʊədən/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Inherited from Middle English burdoun (“accompaniment”), from Old French bordon, from Medieval Latin burdō, burdōnem (“drone”). The modern pronunciation and form (for *burdon) is influenced by modern French bourdon.
Etymology 2
Inherited from Middle English burdoun (“pilgrim's staff”), from Old French bordon, from Medieval Latin burdō, burdōnem (“pilgrim's staff”). The modern pronunciation and form is also influenced by modern French bourdon.