Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rough edge or ridge left on metal, wood, or other material after it has been cut, drilled, or cast: A small, often sharp, unwanted projection of material.
   • A seed case or flower head with hooks or prickles that cling to animal fur or clothing: A prickly, clinging seed vessel of certain plants.
   • A whirring or buzzing sound: A continuous low, rough sound, like that made by a rapidly rotating object.
   • A trilled pronunciation of the letter "r," especially a uvular trill as in some regional accents: A way of pronouncing the "r" sound.

2. Verb:

   • To form a rough edge or ridge on material: To create a burr during a cutting or machining process.
   • To make a whirring sound: To emit a continuous low, vibrating noise.
   • To pronounce the letter "r" with a trill: To speak with a burr in one's accent.

Usage Examples

• Noun (rough edge):
  • Be careful, there's a sharp burr on the edge of that metal plate.
  • The machinist removed the burr from the drilled hole with a file.
• Noun (seed case):
  • My dog came back from the walk covered in sticky burrs.
  • The burr from the burdock plant stuck to my sweater.
• Noun (sound):
  • The burr of the electric motor filled the workshop.
• Noun (pronunciation):
  • He spoke with a soft Scottish burr.
• Verb (to form an edge):
  • The drill bit burred the metal instead of cutting it cleanly.
• Verb (to make a sound):
  • The fan burred quietly in the background.
• Verb (to pronounce):
  • The actor learned to burr his "r"s for the role.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a burr under one's saddle": To be persistently annoyed or irritated by something.
  • He's been in a bad mood all day; he must have a burr under his saddle about something.
• "Burr finish": A surface texture on metal, often created intentionally for grip or aesthetic purposes.
  • The knife handle features a burr finish for better traction.

Variants and Related Words

• Bur (noun): A variant spelling, especially common for the seed case meaning (e.g., ).
• Burred (adjective): Having a rough edge or a burr; pronounced with a burr.
  • The burred edge needed smoothing.
  • His burred accent was charming.
• Burring (noun/gerund): The action or process of forming a burr; the sound of a burr.
  • The burring of the saw was deafening.
• Burrstone (noun): A hard, siliceous rock used for millstones.
• Deburr (verb): To remove burrs from a workpiece. (This is a separate, compound verb).

Synonyms

• Noun (rough edge): Roughness, ridge, jag, barb.
• Noun (seed case): Prickle, sticker, cleaver.
• Noun (sound): Whir, buzz, drone, hum.
• Verb (sound): Whir, buzz, drone, hum.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "A burr in the saddle": A source of persistent annoyance or trouble.
  • That unresolved issue is a burr in the saddle for the entire team.

Noun

1. small bit used in dentistry or surgery
2. rotary file for smoothing rough edges left on a workpiece
3. United States politician who served as vice president under Jefferson; he mortally wounded his political rival Alexander Hamilton in a duel and fled south (1756-1836)
4. rough projection left on a workpiece after drilling or cutting
5. seed vessel having hooks or prickles

Verb

1. remove the burrs from