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“Birr” or “Bur” or “Burr”

birr / bur / burr are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

birr b·ER

  • nounthe basic unit of money in Ethiopia; equal to 100 cents.

bur b·ER

  • nounseed vessel having hooks or prickles.
  • nounsmall bit used in dentistry or surgery.
  • verbremove the burrs from.

burr b·ER

  • nounrough projection left on a workpiece after drilling or cutting.
  • nounUnited States politician who served as vice president under Jefferson; he mortally wounded his political rival Alexander Hamilton in a duel and fled south (1756-1836).
  • nounrotary file for smoothing rough edges left on a workpiece.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“birr”

  • Today's Parsons of Birr Castle are not his direct
  • Birr, a division of King's County,…
  • …branch which had settled at Birr, King’s County in the early…
  • Bellingham International Railroad (BIRR) (Operated by BNSF)
  • Birr (UK Parliament constituency)

“bur”

  • The BUR addressed the need for peacekeeping…
  • Traditionally the name was Faadu Bur (that is, a complete circle…
  • Bur Dubai
  • …the 1970s to secure the Bur Dubai region.
  • …sugar maple), red oak, and bur oak, established and are now…
  • …1993, the Bottom Up Review (BUR) acknowledged the significant changes in…
  • Faadu Bur (Faadhippolhu)

“burr”

  • Burr Harrison (D)
  • …his infamous duel with Aaron Burr and untimely death.
  • Richard Burr Rutherford (April 11, 1891 –…
  • 6th – Ty Burr, The Boston Globe
  • Ramiro Burr of the San Antonio Express-News…
  • …a job with Squire Bartlett (Burr McIntosh).
  • Van Atta, Burr.
  • Burr commented while "we've heard all…
  • Ty Burr of The Boston Globe wrote…
  • In addition to Henry Burr and Harry MacDonough, other Canadian…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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