The word "burliness" (bɜːlɪnɪs) refers to a person or thing that is burly or muscular in appearance. The spelling of this word can be a bit tricky, as it contains the letter combination "rli" which can be hard to pronounce. However, breaking the word down into phonetic segments can help. The first syllable, "bur," is pronounced with the vowel sound in "her." The second syllable, "li," is pronounced like the word "lee." When combined with the suffix "-ness," the word becomes "burliness."
Burliness refers to the physical characteristic of being strong, muscular, and sturdy. It is a term used to describe someone or something that possesses a significant degree of physical strength and robustness. The word is often associated with individuals who have a well-built and muscular physique, with prominent muscles and a solid build.
Burliness can also refer to the quality of strength and toughness exhibited by inanimate objects. It describes the ability of an object, such as furniture or equipment, to withstand substantial stress or pressure without breaking or collapsing. A piece of furniture with burliness is durable and sturdy, capable of withstanding heavy use and rough handling without significant damage or deterioration.
The term burliness usually implies a visual and tactile sense of substantial power and might. It conveys a sense of physical prowess and an ability to perform physically demanding tasks. Furthermore, burliness can also be metaphorically used to describe a person's mental or emotional strength, often representing resilience, fortitude, and determination in dealing with challenging situations or overcoming obstacles.
Overall, burliness is a term that encompasses the notion of physical strength, robustness, durability, and the ability to withstand stress or pressure, whether referring to people or objects.
The being big and blustering.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.