ˈbərjə̇s, ˈbə̄j-, ˈbəij- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English burgeis, from Old French borjois, borgeis, from borc town, from Latin burgus fortified place
1. : a citizen of a British borough
the plaintiff was a burgess of Aylesbury and as such entitled to vote for two Members of Parliament — T.E.May
2. : a magistrate or member of the governing body of a town or borough ; specifically : the chief executive officer of a borough in Pennsylvania
3.
a. : a member of the British Parliament formerly representing a borough, corporate town, or university
b. : a representative in the popular branch of the legislatures of colonial Maryland and Virginia