v. [f. Burke, the name of a notorious criminal executed at Edinburgh in 1829, for smothering many persons in order to sell their bodies for dissection.]
1. trans. To murder, in the same manner or for the same purpose as Burke did; to kill secretly by suffocation or strangulation, or for the purpose of selling the victim’s body for dissection.
1829. Times, 2 Feb., 3/5. As soon as the executioner proceeded to his duty, the cries of ‘Burke him, Burke him,—give him no rope,’ and many others of a similar complexion, were vociferated…. ‘Burke Hare too!’
1830. Lamb, Last Ess. (Chandos), 489. Positively burking you under pretence of cleansing.
1833. T. Hook, Parson’s Dau., II. i. 172. Perhaps he is Burked, and his body sold for nine pounds.
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg., The Tragedy, ad fin. The rest of the rascals jump’d on him and Burk’d him.
2. fig. To smother, ‘hush up,’ suppress quietly.
1840. Hood, Up the Rhine, Introd. iv. The Age of Chivalry is Burked by Time.
1848. Ld. G. Bentinck, in Croker Papers (1884), III. xxv. 165. [Disraeli’s] last speech, altogether burked in the Times, but pretty well given in the ‘Post.’
1860. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., III. cxxxviii. 111. Permitting a minister to burke the parliamentary conscience.
1880. Oracle & Corr., No. 55. A book suppressed before issue is popularly said to have been burked.
Hence Burker, Burkism.
1831. Southey, in Q. Rev., XLIV. 314. We can tell them that there are travelling Burkers in the land.
1859. Worcester, s.v. Burkism cites Westm. Rev.
