Burr
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A burr is a seed or type of fruiting body, borne by certain plants, in which the seeds bear hooks or teeth which attach themselves to fur or clothing of passing animals or people. The hooks or teeth can be irritants. It is the inspiration of Velcro.
Examples of plants that produce burrs include;
- Burdock, various species of Arctium
- Pirri-pirri Burr, various species of Acaena
- Burr marigold, various species of Bidens
- Cleavers or Stickywilly, Galium aparine
A burr is also any regional accent with French-type (uvular) "r" sound, e.g. the Northumberland burr. Words used to describe other accents include twang and drawl.
Burr is also a common surname. See Raymond Burr, Aaron Burr, Burr (novel) (about Aaron Burr).
Burr is a giant in Norse mythology.
Burr refers to the raised edge on a metal part. It may be present in the form of a fine wire on the edge of a freshly sharpened tool or as a raised portion on a surface after being struck a blow from an equally hard, or heavy object.