burrow

views updated May 17 2018

bur·row / ˈbərō/ • n. a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, esp. a rabbit, as a dwelling.• v. [intr.] (of an animal) make a hole or tunnel, esp. to use as a dwelling: moles burrowing away underground. ∎  move underneath or press close to something in order to hide oneself or in search of comfort: the child burrowed deeper into the bed. ∎ fig. make a thorough inquiry; investigate: journalists are burrowing into the president's business affairs.DERIVATIVES: bur·row·er n.

burrow

views updated May 08 2018

burrow A trace fossil formed by an animal during feeding, migration, or in the creation of a resting place. Burrows are formed in soft sediments and may occur on the surface or be the result of subsurface activities.

Burrow

views updated May 11 2018

Burrow

a heap or mound; esp., an animals hiding- or dwelling-place, hence, the animals themselves collectively.

Examples: burrow of conies, 1669; of foxes, 1538; of puffins, 1832; of rubbish, 1875; of rabbits, 1540; of soil, 1784; of barking squirrels or prairie dogs, 1814.

burrow

views updated May 18 2018

burrow sb. XIII. ME. borwʒ, borow, prob. var. of BOROUGH in the sense of ‘fortified or inhabited place’.
Hence burrow vb. make a burrow XVIII; fig. XIX.

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burrow

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