Burgh
/bɜːrɡ/noun
A town, especially one with a degree of self-government; an old form of borough.
Did you know?Burgh is part of a whole fortress-family of words ultimately tied to the ancient idea of a protected, elevated stronghold, which is why so many European place-names still carry its echo.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰerǵʰ-
“to rise, high, elevated”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*burgz
“fortress, fortified place”
Old English
OE
burh, burg
“fortified place, castle, town”
Old High German
OHG
burg
“fortress, castle”
Middle English
English
burgh
“a fortified town or borough”
Modern English
English
burgh
“a town with corporate status, especially in Scotland”