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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
bur or burr noun 1 any seed or fruit with numerous hooks or prickles which are caught in the fur or feathers of passing mammals and birds, and so dispersed over considerable distances. 2 any plant that produces such seeds or fruits.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c.
burr1 noun 1 in some accents of English, such as that found in Northumberland: a rough 'r' sound pronounced at the back of the throat. 2 a continual humming sound made eg by a machine. 3 a rough edge on metal or paper. 4 a small rotary drill used by a dentist or surgeon. verb (burred, burring) 1 intrans to make a burring sound. 2 to pronounce something with a burr.
ETYMOLOGY: 17c in sense 3; associated with bur, but perhaps also an imitation of the sound.
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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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