from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Burgess \Bur"gess\, n. [OE. burgeis, OF. burgeis, fr.
burcfortified town, town, F. bourg village, fr. LL. burgus
fort, city; from the German; cf. MHG. burc, G. burg. See 1st
{Borough}, and cf. 2d {Bourgeois}.]
1. An inhabitant of a borough or walled town, or one who
possesses a tenement therein; a citizen or freeman of a
borough. --Blackstone.
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Note: "A burgess of a borough corresponds with a citizen of a
city." --Burrill.
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2. One who represents a borough in Parliament.
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3. A magistrate of a borough.
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4. An inhabitant of a Scotch burgh qualified to vote for
municipal officers.
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Note: Before the Revolution, the representatives in the
popular branch of the legislature of Virginia were
called burgesses; they are now called delegates.
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{Burgess oath}. See {Burgher}, 2.
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