birl

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To spin.

   • 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.
   • 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."
2. 2

   To cause (a floating log) to rotate by treading on it.

3. 3

   To throw down a coin as one's share in a joint contribution.

4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A type of grace note movement that quickly switches between low-A and low-G several…

      A type of grace note movement that quickly switches between low-A and low-G several times, producing a low rippling sound.

   2. 5

      Alternative form of birle (“to drink, carouse”).

   3. 6

      A girl of boyish appearance.

      • 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.

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