burl

American  

[burl] / bɜrl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

burl ¹ British  

/ bɜːl /

noun

1. a small knot or lump in wool

2. a roundish warty outgrowth from the trunk, roots, or branches of certain trees

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verb

1. (tr) to remove the burls from (cloth)

burl ² British  

/ bɜːl /

noun

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

2. a ride in a car

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burl Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• burler noun

Etymology

Origin of burl

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

Example Sentences

“They have more soul,” Berkofsky said of his patterned carbon-steel knives, which feature elegant handles he has sculpted in rare wood such as charred Osage orange, black ash burl and live edge double-dyed maple.

From Los Angeles Times

A gorgeous burl wood half moon bar, commissioned for but never delivered to the Titanic, conceals the entrance to a room containing Ellison’s archives, organized on accordion library shelves.

From Los Angeles Times

The winner is expected to drive their sled dog team down Nome’s Front Street to the iconic burled arch finish line in about 10 days.

From Washington Times

The meticulous animation has stop-motion’s characteristic haptic quality, so much so you can almost feel the character’s rough and smooth surfaces, the burl of his form as well as the grain.

From New York Times

But he found his passion when, in his 50s, he began doing sculpture, working primarily in burl wood and bronze.

From New York Times

Related Words

• growth
• knot
• node