~ 1
■ noun the sharp explosive cry of a dog, fox, or seal.
■ verb
1》 (of a dog, fox, or seal) give a ~.
2》 utter (a command or question) abruptly or aggressively.
↘ US call out in order to sell or advertise something.
Phrases
one's ~ is worse than one's bite one is not as ferocious as one seems.
be ~ing up the wrong tree informal be pursuing a mistaken line of thought.
Origin
OE beorc (n.), beorcan (v.), of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun the tough protective outer sheath of the trunk, branches, and twigs of a tree or woody shrub.
■ verb
1》 strip the ~ from.
2》 scrape the skin off (one's shin) by accidentally hitting it.
3》 tan or dye (leather or other materials) using the tannins found in ~.
Derivatives
-~ed adjective
Origin
ME: from ON bỏrkr ; perh. related to birch .
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~ 3
■ noun archaic or literary a ship or boat.
Origin
ME: var. of barque .