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. ]
☞ “A burgess of a borough corresponds with a citizen of a city.” Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ Before the Revolution, the representatives in the popular branch of the legislature of Virginia were called burgesses; they are now called delegates. [ 1913 Webster ]
Burgess oath.
n. The state of privilege of a burgess. South. [ 1913 Webster ]