bur

A noun referring to a seed vessel or flower head that has hooks or prickles, or a small rotary cutting tool used in dentistry or surgery.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant un capitule ou une inflorescence muni de crochets ou d'épines, ou un petit outil rotatif de coupe utilisé en dentisterie ou en chirurgie.

1. Prickly seed vessel B2 formal

   A seed vessel or dry fruit that has hooks or prickles, allowing it to cling to animal fur or clothing for dispersal.

   • The dog came back from the walk covered in burs.
   • She carefully removed the bur from her sweater.
   • Burs are an adaptation for seed dispersal by animals.

   🇫🇷Enveloppe de graines épineuse

   Synonymes: burr

2. Dental or surgical tool B2 formal medical

   A small rotary cutting bit used in dentistry or surgery for drilling, shaping, or removing material.

   • The dentist used a bur to remove the decayed part of the tooth.
   • Surgeons employ a specialized bur for precise bone shaping.
   • The dental bur spins at a very high speed.

   🇫🇷fraise (dentaire/chirurgicale)

   Synonymes: burr

• burs plural form
• burs' possessive plural form
• bur's possessive singular form

An archaic or obsolete verb meaning to lodge or take shelter; also a variant of 'burr' meaning to speak with a rough accent or to make a whirring sound.

• 🇫🇷Verbe archaïque ou désuet signifiant se mettre à l'abri ou trouver refuge ; également variante de 'burr', signifiant parler avec un accent roulant ou émettre un bourdonnement.

1. Remove burrs B2 formal

   To remove the rough, prickly seed cases or sharp edges from a surface or material.

   • He carefully burred the metal edge to make it smooth.
   • The gardener burred the plant to prevent the seeds from sticking.
   • She used a file to bur the rough spots on the wood.

   🇫🇷ébavurer

• burred past participle
• burred past simple
• burring present participle
• burs third person singular