bourde

French

Etymology

Inherited from Middle French, of uncertain origin; related to Provençal borda (“lie”). Possibly from Vulgar Latin *burda (“bragging, noise to attract attention”), from Late Latin burdit (“boasting, gloating, preening”), perhaps originally a verb form “he makes noise” and perhaps from burda (“reed, reed-pipe”), itself of unknown origin.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /buʁd/

• Audio:

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Noun

bourde f (plural bourdes)

1. stumble, blunder, error

Further reading

• “bourde”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Anagrams

• bouder

Middle English

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Old French bourde; further etymology is disputed. See bourde (“blunder”).

Alternative forms

• bourd, borde, bord, burde, bowrd, bowrde, bowrte, burte

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbuːrd(ə)/

Noun

bourde (plural bourdes)

1. A diversion or amusing activity, especially humorous:
   1. A funny or entertaining tale, narrative, or example.
   2. A humorous saying or quip.
   3. (rare) A humorous incident or event; a practical joke.
   4. (rare) An entertaining incident or event.

Derived terms

• bourdeful
• bourden
• bourding
• bourdour

Descendants

• English: bourd (obsolete)
• Scots: bourd

References

• “bǒurde, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-07-03.

Etymology 2

Noun

bourde

1. Alternative spelling of bord
   • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Prologues”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC, “The Knyght”, column 2:

     At Alyſaundre he was, when it was won / Full ofte tyme he had the bourde bigon / Abouen alle nacions in Pruce […]

     At Alexandria he was, when it was won / Quite often he had the board begun [sat at the head of the table] / Above all nations in Prussia […]

Etymology 3

Verb

bourde

1. Alternative form of bourden

Norman

Etymology

From Medieval Latin burdo.

Noun

bourde f (plural bourdes)

1. (Jersey) bumblebee

Synonyms

• bourdon

Related terms

• bourdon à myi