burke

verb

ˈbərk 

burked; burking

transitive verb

1

: to suppress quietly or indirectly

burke an inquiry

2

: bypass, avoid

burke an issue

Synonyms

• cover (up)
• hush (up)
• suppress

Examples of burke in a Sentence

the executives knew that the drug had dangerous side effects, but they burked the findings

Word History

Etymology

from burke to suffocate, from William Burke †1829 Irish criminal executed for smothering victims to sell their bodies for dissection

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Biographical Definition

Burke

biographical name

ˈbərk 

Edmund 1729–1797 British statesman and orator

Burkean adjective

or Burkian

ˈbər-kē-ən