Borough

Borow, Burrough, Burgh. [L.Lat. burgus; L. Fr. burg, bourg, burghi\ In Eitglish law. A word which has been variously defined; as A town. Co. Litt. 108 b. An ancient town. Litt, sect. 164.

Termes de la leg

A town of note or importance; a walled or fortified town.

Cowell.

See Burgus, A corporate town that is not a city.

Cowell.

An ancient town, holden of the king or any other lord, which sends burgesses to parliament.

Co, Litt. 109 a.

A town, whether corporate or not, that sends burgesses or members to parliament.

1 Bl. Com. 114, 115.

A city, or other town, that sends burgesses to parliament.

1 Steph, Com. 116.

A corporate town, or city, whether sending members to parliament, or not.

English Munic, Corp. Act, 6 <fe 6 Will. IV. c. 76.

A town or place organized for local government. P. Cyclopcedia. See Burgh, Burgus, Town, In American law, this word is not much used, and has not received any precise definition. In common speech it is generally employed to signify a town or village which has been incorporated; but it seems to be clearly distinguished from a city. As to the etymology of this word, two opinions have been maintained by English writers. Some derive it from the Sax. b^irg, hurh, byrg, byryg, Fr. burg, Lat. burgus; a place fortified or defended by a wall, mound or other enclosure. Termes de la ley. Spelman, voc. Burgus, Cowell, See Burgus, The present meaning of the German fturfl (a castle, fort, citadel,) favors this etymology. Others derive it from the Sax. borh, borhoe, a pledge, tithing, or decennary. Termes de la ley, Cowell, This opinion is supported by the derivation of the word town.

1 Bl. Com. 114, 115.

See Toum. The signification of the term borough has undergone considerable fluctuation, as will appear from the definitions above given. The quality of not being a city is prominently claimed for a boro\igh by some of the best authors.

Cowell. Blount. Stat. 2 Udw.