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Definition of burney

burney

/ˈbɜːr.ni/
Bur · ney
Plural:Burneys
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burney Lexical Profile

• noun

1

British An English surname, most famously associated with Frances (Fanny) Burney, a significant 18th-century English satirical novelist, playwright, and diarist.

Example

"The literary works of Burney are often credited with paving the way for later novelists of manners like Jane Austen."

2

American A census-designated place and unincorporated town in Shasta County, California, United States, situated in the Cascade Range and widely known for its proximity to the prominent Burney Falls.

• Rhymes for burney

• Nearby Words

burner
burnet
burnett
burney
burney falls
burning
burning bush

Word Origin & Etymology

As an English surname, it is often derived from Old English topographical terms such as 'burna' (stream) and 'eg' (island), meaning 'island by the stream', or as an anglicization of certain Scottish and Irish names.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Burney. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/burney
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