Pronunciation: [nˈɜː] (IPA) 
The word "knurr" (IPA phonetic transcription: /nɜː(r)/) is an archaic variant of the word "knur". It refers to a knot or a hard lump on a tree or piece of wood. The spelling follows the general rule of English in which the "k" is silent before the "n", as in "know" and "knee". The "u" is pronounced as a short "u" sound, while the double "r" indicates a slight emphasis on the rhotic consonant.
Knurr is a noun that refers to a small, hard ball or marble used in the game of kayles. This term is mainly used in British English and is also known as "knur and spell" or "knurr and spell." The game of kayles, which originated in medieval times, involves players using a knurr to strike sticks in order to score points.
In more general usage, knurr can also refer to an object similar to a small ball or pebble. It can describe a hard nut enclosed in a shell, such as an acorn or chestnut, or be used to depict a round, hard object resembling a small stone or marble.
Furthermore, the word knurr can also be used as a verb, meaning to utter or produce a low, growling or grumbling sound. It can describe a guttural noise produced by an animal, particularly in a threatening or aggressive manner. Knurring can also be used figuratively to describe the rumbling sound made by a vehicle's engine or any deep, grumbling noise produced by an inanimate object.
Overall, knurr is an archaic noun that primarily refers to a small, hard ball used in the game of kayles, but can also denote other round, hard objects or describe low, growling noises.
The word "knurr" has a somewhat uncertain etymology. It originated in Middle English as "knor" or "cnorr" which referred to a hard knot or a gnarled piece of wood. The term then evolved in the 17th century to refer to a small hard ball used in the game of rounders, a precursor to modern baseball.
The word's ultimate origin is uncertain, but it is believed to have Germanic roots. Some theories suggest that "knurr" could have been borrowed from Low German, where "knor" means a gnarl or knot. Others propose a connection to Old Norse, where "knǫrr" means a knot or a hard lump.
It's worth noting that the word "knurr" is not widely used today and is mostly found in historical or regional contexts.
