noun
burr
bur
noun
1
A prickly seed case or flower head that clings to fur or clothing.
"The dog came back covered in burrs from the field."
2
A strong, rolled pronunciation of the letter "r," or an accent marked by it.
"His soft Scottish burr made the story even more charming."
verb
1
To grind or smooth using a small rotating abrasive tool.
"The dentist used a burr to shape the cavity before filling it."
How to Use Burr
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA prickly seed pod that sticks to things, a rolling "r" accent, or (as a verb) to grind with a small rotary tool.
Common pairings
a Scottish burr
covered in burrs
Word Forms
burred past tense, burred past tense, burrs plural, burrs plural, burrs singular, burrs singular
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Etymology
From Middle English "burre," possibly related to an Old English word for "bristle."