burliness

Variant of burly

burly definition

burly (bʉr′lē)

adjective burlier -·lier, burliest -·li·est

  1. big and strong; heavy and muscular
  2. rough and hearty in manner; bluff

Etymology: ME borlich, excellent, noble, handsome, altered (? by assoc. with bour, bower) < OE borlice, very, excellently

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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