burr

Everyday

1. A burr is a prickly seed case that sticks to clothes or fur, such as from burdock. tree →
2. A burr is a rough edge left on metal or wood after cutting. tree →
3. A burr is a way of speaking with a rolled r sound, as in some Scottish or West Country accents. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons burrs show how plants spread seeds by hitching a ride on animals; they gave the idea for Velcro. In everyday life, children pick burrs off socks after a walk. Phrases: covered in burrs, a soft burr in his voice.

Examples

• The dog came home covered in burrs. tree →
• I pulled burrs off my socks. tree →
• Burrs stick to fur with tiny hooks. tree →
• The file smoothed the burr on the metal edge. tree →
• The farmer spoke with a soft Scottish burr. tree →
• A man saw burrs on his dog and invented Velcro. tree →

Note

Countable: a burr, burrs. Also spelled bur. Do not confuse with brr, a sound you make when cold, or with purr, the sound of a cat. Burr is said like the word her with a b.