birr Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the basic unit of money in Ethiopia; equal to 100 cents
  2. noun sound of something in rapid motion
    whir; whirring; whirr.
    • whir of a bird's wings
    • the whir of the propellers
  3. verb make a soft swishing sound
    purr; whizz; whiz; whir; whirr.
    • the motor whirred
    • the car engine purred

WordNet

Birr intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. OE. bur, bir, wind, storm wind, fr. Icel. byrr wind. Perh. imitative.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Birred present participle & verbal noun Birring
Definitions
  1. To make, or move with, a whirring noise, as of wheels in motion.
Birr noun
Definitions
  1. A whirring sound, as of a spinning wheel.
  2. A rush or impetus; force.

Webster 1913