Bulgarian

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Etymology

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BER derives it from dialectal бъ́рла (bǎ́rla, muzzle) +‎ -ив (-iv). Onomatopoeic or expressive origin via dialectal бърле́я (bǎrléja, to vex) are also possiblе, at least formally. Similar construction is attested with дъ́рля се (dǎ́rlja se, to brawl, to clash)дърли́в (dǎrlív, bickering, easily triggered (of personality)).

Compare further Serbo-Croatian bŕlja (puddle), bŕljati (to muddle) or Slovene brljȁv (faint, blurry), brlẹ́ti (to be blurry, to dwindle).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): [bɐrˈlif]
  • Audio:(file)

Adjective

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бърли́в (bǎrlív) (dialectal, slang)

  1. (of animal) one which turns left and right, which acts confusely
    (figuratively)bewildered, confused, disoriented
    Synonyms: въртогла́в (vǎrtogláv), ша́шав (šášav)
    (by extension)suffering from neurological disorder
  2. (of person) crazy, deranged, with screwed head
    Synonyms: сма́хнат (smáhnat), побъ́ркан (pobǎ́rkan)
  3. (of personality) spiteful, ill-tempered
    Synonyms: злонра́вен (zlonráven), спри́хав (spríhav)

Declension

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References

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