Word
burgess
Phoneticsburgess
US/ˈbɝdʒəs/
UK/bˈɜːdʒɛs/
Definitions
01a citizen with rights
n. a person who lived in a town (a borough) and had full legal rights, such as the right to vote.
n. an inhabitant of a borough or town who possesses full municipal rights and privileges. Historically used to distinguish citizens from those without property or status.
“In the old days, only a wealthy burgess could vote in the town elections.”
“The charter of 1215 granted specific commercial privileges to every burgess residing within the city walls.”
Archaic · Formal
Usage
Usually refers to historical contexts before the 19th century.
Teaching tip
This word is almost exclusively found in historical novels or academic history texts. Students should not use it to describe modern citizens.
Synonyms
02a political representative
n. a person chosen to represent a town in a government group, like a parliament.
n. a representative of a borough in the British Parliament or a member of the lower house of the legislature in colonial Virginia and Maryland.
“He was elected as a burgess to represent his town in the capital.”
“The House of Burgesses in Virginia was the first elective governing body in the English overseas possessions.”
Archaic · Formal
Teaching tip
In American history, 'House of Burgesses' is a specific proper noun for the early Virginia legislature.
Synonyms
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/burgess