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Swarf vs Burr - What's the difference?

swarf | burr |

As nouns the difference between swarf and burr

is that swarf is the waste chips or shavings from metalworking or a saw cutting wood while burr is a sharp, pointy object, such as a sliver or splinter.

As verbs the difference between swarf and burr

is that swarf is to grow languid; to faint while burr is to pronounce with a rolled "r".

As a proper noun Burr is

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swarf

English

Noun

(-)
  • the waste chips or shavings from metalworking or a saw cutting wood
  • * 1979 , Cormac McCarthy, Suttree , Random House, p.95:
    • Harrogate looked at the ground. A black swarf packed with small parts in a greasy mosaic.
  • the grit worn away by use of a grindstone or whetstone, being particles of the material being cut and of the cutting stone itself

    • Usage notes

    Infrequently used after the 19th century; primarily in technical settings.

    Related terms

    * swerve

    See also

    * grind * grinder * grindstone * grit * hone * metalwork * smith * whet * whetstone

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (Scotland) To grow languid; to faint.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • to swarf for very hunger

    References

    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