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Birr vs Burr - What's the difference?

birr | burr |

As nouns the difference between birr and burr

is that birr is force, vigor, energy while burr is a sharp, pointy object, such as a sliver or splinter.

As verbs the difference between birr and burr

is that birr is to make a whirring noise; make a noise like that of revolving wheels, or of millstones at work while burr is to pronounce with a rolled "r".

As a proper noun Burr is

{{surname}.

birr

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • force, vigor, energy
  • a strong wind.
  • the force of the wind; rush, impetus, momentum, driving force
  • a thrust or push
  • a whirring noise
  • :* {{quote-book, year=1916
    • , year_published=2009 , edition=Reprint , editor= , author=Colonel J.A. Currie , title=The Red Watch, With the First Canadian Division in Flanders , chapter=XVII The Battle of Neuve Chapelle citation , genre= , publisher=Project Gutenberg , isbn= , page= , passage=When the British Tommies heard the "birr " of the five-inch Canadian shells they all asked whose they were. }}
  • a strong trilling pronunciation
  • :* {{quote-news, date=2011-04-24
    • , first= , last= , author=Kevin McKenna , authorlink= , coauthors= , title=Labour needs to challenge Alex Salmond – and quickly , newspaper=The Guardian , city= , publisher= , quotee= citation , page= , passage=Gray possesses an unfortunate East of Scotland birr that suggests a 21-year-old student interviewing for his first job. }}

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a whirring noise; make a noise like that of revolving wheels, or of millstones at work.

    • References

    * Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia, 1911 * Dictionary.com, birr * (webster)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The currency of Ethiopia, divided into 100 santims

    • Synonyms

    * ETB

    burr

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) burre, perhaps from (etyl) , from (etyl).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sharp, pointy object, such as a sliver or splinter.
  • A bur; a seed pod with sharp features that stick in fur or clothing.
  • A small piece of material left on an edge after a cutting operation.
  • * Tomlinson
    • The graver, in ploughing furrows in the surface of the copper, raises corresponding ridges or burrs .
  • A thin flat piece of metal, formed from a sheet by punching; a small washer put on the end of a rivet before it is swaged down.
  • A broad iron ring on a tilting lance just below the grip, to prevent the hand from slipping.
  • The earlobe.
  • The knot at the bottom of an antler.
    • Synonyms
    * (kind of seed pod) sticker; bur
    Derived terms
    * deburr

    Etymology 2

    Onomatopoeia, influenced by bur.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A rough humming sound.
  • A rolled "r".

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To pronounce with a rolled "r".
  • To make a rough humming sound.

    • Etymology 3

    Origin uncertain.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A metal ring at the top of the hand-rest on a spear.
  • * :
    • And there kyng Arthur smote syr mordred vnder the shelde wyth a foyne of his spere thorughoute the body more than a fadom / And whan syr Mordred felte that he had hys dethes wounde / He thryst hym self wyth the myght that he had vp to the bur of kynge Arthurs spere / And right so he smote his fader Arthur wyth his swerde holden in bothe his handes

    Etymology 4

    From burl.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (British)
    • English onomatopoeias Geordie English