burr

Noun

1. A sharp, pointy object, such as a sliver or splinter.
2. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of bur (“rough, prickly husk around the seeds or fruit of some plants”).
3. A small piece of material left on an edge after a cutting operation.
4. A thin flat piece of metal, formed from a sheet by punching; a small washer put on the end of a rivet before it is swaged down.
5. (historical) A broad iron ring on a tilting lance just below the grip, to prevent the hand from slipping.
6. (historical) A metal ring at the top of the hand-rest on a spear.
7. The ear lobe.
8. A burr knot or burl.
9. The knot at the bottom of an antler.
10. A revolving disk or cone with abrasive surfaces used to grind hard products in a grinder or mill.

Verb

To grind using a burr (revolving disk or cone with abrasive surfaces).

Verb

1. (transitive) To pronounce with a uvular "r".
2. (intransitive) To make a rough humming sound.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɝ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: burre

Cognate with Old English: byrst

Cognate with Danish: burre

Cognate with Swedish: borre

Cognate with French: bruire

In summary

From Middle English burre, perhaps related to Old English byrst (“bristle”). Cognate with Danish burre, borre (“burdock, burr”), Swedish borre (“sea-urchin”).

Synonyms

bur

flash

rag

burl

rotary file

fin

whetstone

prickle

hone

ferocity

loupe

magnifying glass

noise

oilstone

quiver

spine

thorn

tremolo

trepan

trill

wildness

yodel

bitstock

knife grinder

yodle

sentus

Arctium

clotbur

cockleburr

round file

warble tone

engraving tool

upset metal

free edge

rough edge

blade grinder

sickle grinder

staple bolt

knaur

skin needling

flash burr

fringe selvedge

rough selvedge

auger

knife stone

borer

brogue

burdock

burin

case

Translations

Grat

bava

Klette

bardane

zumbido

βουίζω

lappa

rzep

loupe

entgraten

βόμβος

sbavatura

βομβώ

λοβός

barbe