Burgher
/ˈbɜːr.ɡər/noun
A citizen or inhabitant of a borough or town, especially one belonging to the middle class.
Did you know?Burgher comes from the same ancient Germanic root as borough and burg, the fortress-root behind countless place names across Europe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*burgz
“fortress; fortified place”
Old English
OE
burh
“fortified town or stronghold”
Old High German
OHG
burg
“castle; fortress”
Middle Dutch
MDu
burger
“inhabitant of a town; townsman”
Middle English
ME
burgeis
“townsman; citizen of a borough”
Modern English
English
burgher
“a citizen of a borough or town, especially a middle-class one”