n.
Pronunciation: ' b ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English burre; akin to Old English byrst bristle ― more at BRISTLE
Date: 14th century
1 usually bur a : a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit b : a plant that bears burs
2 a : something that sticks or clings <a burr in the throat> b : HANGER-ON
3 : an irregular rounded mass especially : a tree burl
4 : a thin ridge or area of roughness produced in cutting or shaping metal
5 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 b usually bur : a bit used on a dental drill
7 : a rough humming sound : WHIR
– burred \ ' b ə rd \ adjective