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.
verb (used with object)
3.
to remove burls from (cloth) in finishing.
Origin of burl
1400-50;late Middle Englishburle ≪ Old French; akin to Medieval Latinburla bunch, sheaf, Late Latinburra wool, fluff
Related forms
burler, noun
Examples from the web for burl
In the beautiful elevator, with the metalwork and the cherry-burl walls, he feels a solace.
British Dictionary definitions for burl
burl1
/bɜːl/
noun
1.
a small knot or lump in wool
2.
a roundish warty outgrowth from the trunk, roots, or branches of certain trees
verb
3.
(transitive) to remove the burls from (cloth)
Derived Forms
burler, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Old French burle tuft of wool, probably ultimately from Late Latin burra shaggy cloth
burl2
/bɜːl/
noun (informal)
1.
(Scot & Austral, NZ) an attempt; try (esp in the phrase give it a burl)
2.
(Austral & NZ) a ride in a car
Word Origin
C20: perhaps from birl1 in the Scot sense: a twist or turn
Word Origin and History for burl
n.
"small knot in wool or cloth," mid-15c., from Old French bourle "tuft of wool," which perhaps is related to the root of bur, or from Vulgar Latin *burrula "small flock of wool," from Late Latin burra "wool."
burl in Science
burl
(bûrl)
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.