cocklebur

American  

[kok-uhl-bur] / ˈkɒk əlˌbɜr /

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Xanthium, comprising coarse weeds with spiny burs.

2. the burdock, Arctium lappa.

---

cocklebur British  

/ ˈkɒkəlˌbɜː /

noun

1. any coarse weed of the genus Xanthium, having spiny burs: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. the bur of any of these plants

---

Etymology

Origin of cocklebur

First recorded in 1795–1805; cockle ² + bur ¹

Example Sentences

He was struck by the fact that they liked to eat the spiky seed pods of cocklebur plants.

From New York Times • Dec. 20, 2019

With Goldie serving drinks and secret codes like "this hangnail's a cocklebur," the money starts rolling in for both Trent and Abe.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2015

Tight as a cocklebur Dictator-President Antonio Oscar de Fragoso Carmona stuck to the saddle of the restless Republic of Portugal last week, a saddle in which he has ridden for the past five years.

From Time Magazine Archive

Instead of spraying, the Maddoxes now bait cocklebur stands with salt to attract cattle.

From Time Magazine Archive

The desmodium, the bidens, the agrimony and the cocklebur, which stick to your clothes even as late as February, are only using you as a Moses to lead their children to their promised land.

From Some Winter Days in Iowa by Lazell, Frederick John