Rarely used musical tempo, meaning slow and ponderous (e.g., moving under a burden); similar to largo.
burthen
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for burthen.
Editorial note
Prompt: I would like a list of east Indiamen from 1750 to 1800 where you can find how many tons burthen and how many crew.
Quick take
Rarely used musical tempo, meaning slow and ponderous (e.g., moving under a burden); similar to largo.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of burthen gathered in one view.
A section of music with the tempo mark burthen.
Archaic form of burden. [A heavy load.]
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for burthen.
noun
Rarely used musical tempo, meaning slow and ponderous (e.g., moving under a burden); similar to largo.
See also: weight, weight-down, burden
noun
A section of music with the tempo mark burthen.
See also: weight, weight-down, burden
noun
Archaic form of burden. [A heavy load.]
See also: weight, weight-down, burden
verb
Archaic form of burden. [(transitive) To encumber with a literal or figurative burden.]
See also: weight, weight-down, burden
Example sentences
Prompt: I would like a list of east Indiamen from 1750 to 1800 where you can find how many tons burthen and how many crew.
The title refers to a 1729 Jonathan Swift essay, "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick"[1].
Revealing my ignorance here, are you seeing a reference to “A Modest Proposal For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick” by (pen name) Jonathan Swift?
Quote examples
The title refers to a 1729 Jonathan Swift essay, "A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick"[1].
Revealing my ignorance here, are you seeing a reference to “A Modest Proposal For preventing the Children of Poor People From being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country, and For making them Beneficial to the Publick” by (pen name) Jonathan Swift?
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use burthen in a sentence?
Prompt: I would like a list of east Indiamen from 1750 to 1800 where you can find how many tons burthen and how many crew.
What does burthen mean?
Rarely used musical tempo, meaning slow and ponderous (e.g., moving under a burden); similar to largo.
What part of speech is burthen?
burthen is commonly used as noun, verb.