burke

verb

burked; burking

transitive verb

1
: to suppress quietly or indirectly
burke an inquiry
2
: bypass, avoid
burke an issue

Examples of burke in a Sentence

the executives knew that the drug had dangerous side effects, but they burked the findings

Word History

Etymology

from burke to suffocate, from William Burke †1829 Irish criminal executed for smothering victims to sell their bodies for dissection

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of burke was in 1835

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Dictionary Entries Near burke

Cite this Entry

“Burke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burke. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Burke

biographical name

Edmund 1729–1797 British statesman and orator
Burkean adjective
or Burkian
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