Bur
/bɜːr/noun
A prickly seed case or rough, clinging plant structure that catches on clothing or animal fur.
Did you know?The bur’s hooked surface inspired the invention of Velcro after engineer George de Mestral examined how burrs clung to his dog’s fur.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic (uncertain)
Germanic
*burzōn
“A reconstructed term possibly connected with a prickly plant or burr-like object”
Old English
Old English
bur
“A prickly plant or seed case”
Middle English
Middle English
burre
“A rough, prickly seed vessel; something that clings”
15th–16th Century
English
bur
“A prickly projection or rough growth”
Modern English
English
bur
“A hooked seed case, rough projection, or similar clinging object”