1. The coarse fibers or woody core of flax or hemp after the softer fibers have been separated.
Usage: Usually used in plural form; Technical/industrial term; Also called 'hards' or 'shives'

Examples

• The textile mill separated the hurds from the flax fibers.
• Hurds are often used as animal bedding or biofuel.
• Processing hemp produces both usable fiber and hurds as a byproduct.
• The hurds left over from flax production can be composted or burned for energy.