noun
bur
A trilled or rough sound in speech.
A rough bur colors the speaker's rolled r sounds.
Etymology
An imitative word for a rough vibration. Bur is a spelling variant in this sound sense; the prickly seed case has a separate history.
More examples
- Listeners recognized the regional bur in her speech.
- He softened the bur when reading formally.
- The actor practiced the distinctive bur of the accent.
Forms
bur · burs
Similar words
- trill
- A repeated vibrating speech sound, while bur can emphasize its rough quality.