burl

[ burl ]

noun

1. a small knot or lump in wool, thread, or cloth.
2. a dome-shaped growth on the trunk of a tree; a wartlike structure sometimes 2 feet (0.6 meters) across and 1 foot (0.3 meters) or more in height, sliced to make veneer.

verb (used with object)

1. to remove burls from (cloth) in finishing.

burl

¹

/ bɜːl /

noun

1. a small knot or lump in wool
2. a roundish warty outgrowth from the trunk, roots, or branches of certain trees

verb

1. tr to remove the burls from (cloth)

burl

²

/ bɜːl /

noun

1. an attempt; try (esp in the phrase give it a burl )
2. a ride in a car

burl

/ bûrl /

1. A large, rounded outgrowth on the trunk or branch of a tree. Burls develop from one or more twig buds whose cells continue to multiply but never differentiate so that the twig can elongate into a limb. Burls do not usually cause harm to trees.

Derived Forms

• ˈburler, noun

Other Words From

• burler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of burl¹

1400–50; late Middle English burle ≪ Old French; akin to Medieval Latin burla bunch, sheaf, Late Latin burra wool, fluff

Word History and Origins

Origin of burl¹

C15: from Old French burle tuft of wool, probably ultimately from Late Latin burra shaggy cloth

Origin of burl²

C20: perhaps from birl ¹in the Scot sense: a twist or turn

Example Sentences

Scouting Report: Size-wise, Bob Costas (Syracuse '74) is clearly the underdog next to Oscar-winner Burl "Big Daddy" Ives.

From The Daily Beast

Burl Jasperson was a portly little man with legs too short for his bulging body, and clothes that were too tight.

From Project Gutenberg

By the end of the third week out, Burl Jasperson was afflicted by an almost intolerable tension.

From Project Gutenberg

He was gone a long time, thought Burl, and when at last he returned his feet were dragging more than ever.

From Project Gutenberg

Only Burl had a vague idea of taking something to some place to do something with it.

From Project Gutenberg

Burl's fellow-humans were preoccupied with the filling of their stomachs.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• growth
• knot
• node