Birl

Quick meaning: Birl is a verb meaning (ambitransitive, Scotland) To spin.

Meaning

(ambitransitive, Scotland) To spin.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading on it.
2. (transitive) To throw down a coin as one's share in a joint contribution.
3. (music, bagpipes) A type of grace note movement that quickly switches between low-A and low-G several times, producing a low rippling sound.
4. (Internet slang, LGBTQ) A girl of boyish appearance.
5. Alternative form of birle (“to drink, carouse”).

Example Sentences

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.

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.

1906, Neil Munro, The Vital Spark, reprinted in 1958, Para Handy Tales, "I'll maybe no trouble you long, boys," he moaned lugubriously. "My heid's birling roond that fast that I canna even mind my own name two meenutes."

"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.

Word Forms

• birls
• birling
• birled

Synonyms for birl

Depending on context, synonyms include whirl, twirl, spin, birle.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include whirl, spin, birle, twirl, birr, pirl.

Related Dictionary Tools