Burke

name

Etymology: From an Anglo-Norman pronunciation of burg.

1. A topographical surname from Anglo-Norman for someone who lived in a fortified place.
2. A number of places in the United States:
3. A number of places in the United States:
4. A number of places in the United States:
5. A number of places in the United States:
6. A number of places in the United States:
7. A number of places in the United States:
8. A number of places in the United States:
9. A number of places in the United States:
10. A local government area in north-west Queensland, Australia, named after Robert O'Hara Burke; in full, the Shire of Burke.

noun

1. Alternative form of berk.

verb

Etymology: Eponymous, from William Burke.

1. To murder by suffocation.

   “As soon as the executioner proceeded to his duty, the cries of ‘Burke him, Burke him—give him no rope’... were vociferated... ‘Burke Hare too!’”

2. To murder for the same purpose as Burke, to kill in order to have a body to sell to anatomists, surgeons, etc.

   “"I don’t know that," interrupted the landlady; "Williams is a good hanging name: there was Williams who murdered the Marr's family, and Williams who burked all those poor dear children; I dare say he is some relation of theirs; but to think of his coming to the White Hart—it's no place for his doings, I can tell him: he sha'n't poison his wife in my house; out he goes this very night—I'll take the letter to him myself."”

   “Perhaps he is Burked, and his body sold for nine pounds.”

3. To smother; to conceal, hush up, suppress.

   “The reporters left it out... Those who spoke in favour of the poor men, were what the reporters call burked.”

   “He put away—burked—the Directors' letter, and went in to talk to Riley”