Noun
/bɜrz/
The term "burrs" refers to small, prickly seed pods that cling to clothes, fur, or skin. It can also denote the rough edges or projections left on a material after cutting or shaping it. In both usages, "burrs" can imply something that is unwelcome or troublesome.
The word "burrs" is relatively specialized. It is not frequently encountered in everyday conversation and is more likely to be used in contexts related to botany, gardening, or materials science. It may appear more in written texts, such as scientific articles or nature studies, than in informal oral speech.
The burrs from the plants got caught in my dog's fur.
(Los burrs de las plantas se quedaron atrapados en el pelaje de mi perro.)
After trimming the wood, ensure you sand down any burrs to avoid injury.
(Después de cortar la madera, asegúrate de lijar cualquier burr para evitar lesiones.)
The children wandered through the field and came back covered in burrs.
(Los niños vagaron por el campo y regresaron cubiertos de burrs.)
While "burrs" does not frequently appear in idiomatic expressions, its conceptual relevance can find parallels in phrases involving difficulties or annoyances.
"She felt like she had burrs in her brain after the stressful meeting."
(Ella sintió que tenía burrs en el cerebro después de la reunión estresante.)
"Sometimes, friendships can feel like burrs — sticking around when you least want them to."
(A veces, las amistades pueden sentirse como burrs: quedándose cuando menos quieres que lo hagan.)
The word "burr" originates from Old English "burre," which refers to a prickly seed or pods. The term has evolved, retaining its connection to prickliness and roughness, which is reflected in both its botanical and metallurgical meanings.
Synonyms: prickles, thistles, spines (in the context of seed pods); rough edges, projections (in the context of materials)
Antonyms: smoothness, polish (in the context of materials)