Burke
English Meaning
To murder by suffocation, or so as to produce few marks of violence, for the purpose of obtaining a body to be sold for dissection.
- To suppress or extinguish quietly; stifle: burked the investigation by failing to reappoint the commission.
- To avoid; disregard: "To make The Tempest a tragic and depressing play he was willing to burke all the elements that made it the exact opposite” ( Robert M. Adams).
- To execute (someone) by suffocation so as to leave the body intact and suitable for dissection.