Main Entry:

¹burr

Pronunciation:

\ˈbər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English burre; akin to Old English byrst bristle — more at bristle

Date:

14th century

1usually bur a: a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit b: a plant that bears burs2 a: something that sticks or clings <a burr in the throat> b: hanger-on3: an irregular rounded mass ; especially : a tree burl4: a thin ridge or area of roughness produced in cutting or shaping metal5 a: a trilled uvular \r\ as used by some speakers of English especially in northern England and in Scotland b: a tongue-point trill that is the usual Scottish \r\6 a: a small rotary cutting tool busually bur : a bit used on a dental drill7: a rough humming sound : whir

— burred \ˈbərd\ adjective