Surgical Instruments Glossary

noun a rough, prickly seed case or fruit that clings to fur or clothing

verb to make a whirring noise like that of a burr

• The burr on the metal surface was carefully sanded down to create a smooth finish.
• I always get a burr on my sweater when I walk through that bush.
• Hey man, you've got a burr in your saddle about that issue.
• The burr of resentment between them only grew stronger over time.

noun a whimsical or eccentric notion or preference

• The musician used a crotchet note to indicate a quarter beat in the composition.
• I always get confused between a crotchet and a quaver in music theory class.
• I need to remember to hold that crotchet for a full beat before moving on.
• His idea of success was like a crotchet in a symphony, essential for the overall harmony.

noun a close-fitting cover for something, especially something that is elongated in shape such as a sword or knife

• The knight's sword was encased in a sturdy sheath.
• She slid the knife back into its sheath on her belt.
• He kept his gun in a sheath tucked into his waistband.
• The lawyer used legal jargon as a sheath to hide the true meaning of his argument.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The absence of blade on the lawnmower made it impossible to cut the grass.
• Without a blade, the lawnmower is useless for cutting the grass.
• No blade means no mowing, dude.
• In the absence of blade, his argument lacked sharpness and impact.