ENGLISH
REFERENCE

borne

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈbɔɹn// UK //bˈɔːn// borne

v. carried or supported by something. It is the past form of 'bear' and often describes how a disease or a feeling is moved from one place to another.

v. the past participle of 'bear' in all senses except for giving birth. Often used in compound adjectives to indicate the medium of transmission or support.


SIMPLE

The costs of the wedding were borne by the bride's parents.

CONTEXTUAL

Health officials warned that the virus was water-borne and advised residents to boil their drinking water.

COMPLEX

The heavy burden of leadership is often borne in silence, requiring a level of emotional resilience that few observers truly appreciate or understand.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English boren, iborne, from Old English boren, ġeboren, past participle of Old English beran (“to carry, bear”).

Usage

Used as the past participle of 'bear' (to carry/support); distinct from 'born' (related to birth).

Pitfall

The costs were born by the companyThe costs were borne by the companyLearners confuse 'born' (birth) with 'borne' (carried/supported).

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