biro

name

1. A surname from the Slavic languages.
2. A brand of ballpoint pen: see biro.

noun

Etymology: Genericized trademark of BIRO, named after László Bíró, the inventor of the first commercially succesful ballpoint pen.

1. A Biro brand ballpoint pen.

   “Biro MARKS A TURNING POINT IN THE HISTORY OF Writing "BIRO" is unique: it writes with a ballpoint — a point that never goes wrong, never floods, bends or splutters — a point that rolls your writing on to the paper with effortless ease. "BIRO" ink dries as you write; you cannot smudge it; you need no blotter. […] Retail price 55/- including purchase tax”

   “Frank's Biro taps delicately at the topmost of the little yellow notes.”

2. Any ballpoint pen.

   “Massimo's finger was poised above red on his multi-coloured biro like a kangaroo frozen in headlights.”

3. Ink from a ballpoint pen.

   “‘My very creative 2-year-old son used my good friend′s white polyester Roman blinds as a canvas,’ says Jacqui. They′re now covered in blue biro. And although my friend isn′t too bothered by the biro, I am! Can you help?′”