I. ˈbər 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 ˈbərd adjective
II. verb
Date: 1798
intransitive verb
1. : to speak with a burr
2. : to make a whirring sound
transitive verb
1. : to pronounce with a burr
2.
a. : to form into a projecting edge
b. : to remove burrs from
• burr·er noun