1. A resident of a borough or town: In historical contexts, especially in England, a burgess was a citizen with full rights and privileges within a borough. This often included the right to vote and hold office.
2. A member of a municipal corporation: In some countries, "burgess" can be a formal title for a member of a municipal council or governing body.
3. A type of mollusk: In the realm of paleontology, "Burgess Shale" refers to a famous fossil-bearing deposit in Canada. This location is known for its exceptional preservation of soft-bodied organisms from the Cambrian period, including various types of "Burgess Shale animals."
4. A surname: "Burgess" is also a common surname, with origins in various parts of the world.
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