churr

English

Etymology

Uncertain. Possibly from Middle English *churren, *chirren, *cherren, from Old English ċeorian (“to murmur, grumble, complain”), from Proto-West Germanic *karēn (“to complain”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General Australian) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃɜː/

  • Audio (Southern England):

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  • Audio (General Australian):

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• (General American) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃɝ/
• (Scotland) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃʌr/
• (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃøː/
• (Liverpool, fair–fur merger) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃeː/
• (Humberside, Teesside, fair–fur merger) IPA^(key): /t͡ʃɛː/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)
• Homophones: chur; chirr (fern–fir–fur merger); chair (fair–fur merger)

Verb

churr (third-person singular simple present churrs, present participle churring, simple past and past participle churred)

1. Alternative spelling of chirr (“to make an insect sound”).
2. To make the low vocal sound of some birds.
   • 1923, Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados:

     "And, by the way, will you ring for Maurice as you go?"
     A distant bell churred. Across the room, like a strangely balancing bird, skimmed a waiter.

Noun

churr (plural churrs)

1. Alternative spelling of chirr (“insect sound”).
2. A low vocal sound made by some birds.

Derived terms

• nightchurr