Bur·gess n.
1. An inhabitant of a borough or walled town, or one who possesses a tenement therein; a citizen or freeman of a borough.
Note: ☞ “A burgess of a borough corresponds with a citizen of a city.”
2. One who represents a borough in Parliament.
3. A magistrate of a borough.
4. An inhabitant of a Scotch burgh qualified to vote for municipal officers.
Note: ☞ Before the Revolution, the representatives in the popular branch of the legislature of Virginia were called burgesses; they are now called delegates.
Burgess oath. See Burgher, 2.
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