burgess
noun
bur·gess ˈbər-jəs 
1
a
: a citizen of a British borough
b
: a representative of a borough, corporate town, or university in the British Parliament
2
: a representative in the popular branch of the legislature of colonial Maryland or Virginia
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Every once in a while, people would put up more ribbons, and the board would take them down — with one burgess once captured in the act in a video posted on YouTube. 
Christine Dempsey, courant.com, 10 Nov. 2021 Her husband, Colonel James L. Shellman, had been the first burgess or mayor of Westminster, a member of the Maryland legislature, and a prominent attorney. Frank Batavick, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 11 June 2021 The Assembly made decisions the same way—governor, advisors and burgesses casting one vote each (the governor did wield a veto). Richard Brookhiser, Time, 19 Nov. 2019 On Tuesday, lawmakers, members of Congress and other guests will gather at historic Jamestown for ceremonies to commemorate the meeting of the burgesses. Washington Post, 28 July 2019 But 1619 saw another: July 30 to August 4 marked the first meeting of Jamestown’s general assembly — elected burgesses, discussing and voting on their own laws, the seed of self-rule in the new world. Nr Editors, National Review, 12 Sep. 2019 The weather was so hot that one burgess died on the third day. Washington Post, 30 July 2019 Big announcement on Mondays show. -- rick burgess (@bigvox) June 2, 2017When contacted by AL.com, Burgess declined to comment. Leada Gore, AL.com, 2 June 2017 Sharkey has been a member of the board of burgesses (the equivalent of selectmen or Town Council) for 10 years, but this was his first attempt at the warden's seat. Janice Steinhagen, Courant Community, 18 May 2017 See More
Christine Dempsey, courant.com, 10 Nov. 2021 Her husband, Colonel James L. Shellman, had been the first burgess or mayor of Westminster, a member of the Maryland legislature, and a prominent attorney. Frank Batavick, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 11 June 2021 The Assembly made decisions the same way—governor, advisors and burgesses casting one vote each (the governor did wield a veto). Richard Brookhiser, Time, 19 Nov. 2019 On Tuesday, lawmakers, members of Congress and other guests will gather at historic Jamestown for ceremonies to commemorate the meeting of the burgesses. Washington Post, 28 July 2019 But 1619 saw another: July 30 to August 4 marked the first meeting of Jamestown’s general assembly — elected burgesses, discussing and voting on their own laws, the seed of self-rule in the new world. Nr Editors, National Review, 12 Sep. 2019 The weather was so hot that one burgess died on the third day. Washington Post, 30 July 2019 Big announcement on Mondays show. -- rick burgess (@bigvox) June 2, 2017When contacted by AL.com, Burgess declined to comment. Leada Gore, AL.com, 2 June 2017 Sharkey has been a member of the board of burgesses (the equivalent of selectmen or Town Council) for 10 years, but this was his first attempt at the warden's seat. Janice Steinhagen, Courant Community, 18 May 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English burgeis, from Anglo-French, from borc town — more at bourg
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Biographical Definition
Burgess 1 of 3
biographical name (1)
Bur·gess ˈbər-jəs
Anthony 1917–1993 originally John Anthony Burgess Wilson British writer
Burgess
2 of 3biographical name (2)
(Frank) Gelett 1866–1951 American humorist and illustrator
Burgess
3 of 3biographical name (3)
Thornton Waldo 1874–1965 American writer