English Explanatory Dictionary

bur

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A rough, prickly husk around the seeds or fruit of some plants.
  2. Any of several plants having such husks.
  3. A rotary cutting implement having a selection of variously shaped heads.
  4. Alternative form of burr (“small piece of material”).
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/bɝ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Wodencafe-bur.wav /bɜː/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-bur.wav /bʌr/ /bøː/ /beː/ /bɛː/

Word forms

bur burs burr

Etymology

From Middle English burre, of unknown origin but probably from North Germanic (Scandinavian) source or from Old English byrst (“bristle”). See also burr. Compare English bristle, Danish burre (“bur, burdock”), Norwegian borre, Swedish borre, and Old Norse burst (“bristle”).

Derived words

beach bur buffalo bur buffalo-bur buffalo-bur nightshade bur block burdock burfish burgrass burlike bur marigold bur oak bur-reed burry burseed burweed butterbur cocklebur sandbur
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