furfur

[ fur-fer ]
/ ˈfɜr fər /

noun, plural fur·fur·es [fur-fyuh-reez, -fuh-]. /ˈfɜr fyəˌriz, -fə-/.

the formation of flakelike particles on the surface of the skin, as of dandruff.
furfures, these particles.

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What does “barren” mean?
a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.
Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.
unproductive; unfruitful
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Origin of furfur

1615–25; <Latin: bran, scaly infection

Words nearby furfur

furcate, furcation, furcula, furculum, fur farm, furfur, furfuraceous, furfural, furfuraldehyde, furfuran, furfurol
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for furfur

furfur
/ (ˈfɜːfə) /

noun plural furfures (ˈfɜːfjʊˌriːz, -fəˌriːz)

a scaling of the skin; dandruff
any scale of the epidermis

Word Origin for furfur

C17: from Latin: bran, scurf
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012