burl

noun

ˈbər(-ə)l

: a knot or lump in thread or cloth

: a hard woody often flattened hemispherical outgrowth on a tree

: veneer made from burls

Examples of burl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Door handles and cabinet drawer pulls were hand-forged with metal and manzanita tree burls. —

Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2024 Some signs of ring shake can include a lean, large overgrown knots and bulges and burls near the base of the tree. —

Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024 Its spectacular grain makes burl wood worthy of a prominent display. —

Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023 There are ways to get burls that don’t involve theft and killing healthy trees. —

Nidha Eakambaram, oregonlive, 24 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for burl

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English burle, from Anglo-French *bourle tuft of wool, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burra shaggy cloth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of burl was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century