Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Briar
Bri′ar
,Noun.
Same as
Brier
. {
Bri′er
,Bri′ar
}(brī′ẽr)
, Noun.
[OE.
brere
, brer
, AS. brēr
, brær
; cf. Ir. briar
prickle, thorn, brier, pin, Gael. preas
bush, brier, W. prys
, prysg
.] 1.
A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles; especially, species of
Rosa
, Rubus
, and Smilax
. 2.
Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.
The thorns and
briers
of reproof. Cowper.
Brier root
, the root of the southern
– Smilax laurifolia
and Smilax Walteri
; – used for tobacco pipes. See also 2nd brier
. Cat brier
, Green brier
several species of Smilax (
– Smilax rotundifolia
, etc.) Sweet brier
(Rosa rubiginosa
). See
– Sweetbrier
. Yellow brier
, the
Rosa Eglantina
.Webster 1828 Edition
Briar
BRIAR
, [See Brier.]Definition 2024
Briar
briar
briar
See also: Briar
English
Alternative forms
Noun
briar (plural briars)
- Any of many plants with thorny stems growing in dense clusters, such as many in the Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax genera.
- (figuratively) Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.
- (Can we date this quote?) Cowper
- The thorns and briers of reproof.
- (Can we date this quote?) Cowper
Translations
any thorny plant
Briar (pipe)
Derived terms
Etymology 2
Wikispecies From French bruyère, assimilated with Etymology 1, above.
Noun
briar (plural briars)
- The white heath, Erica arborea, a thorny Mediterranean shrub.
- A pipe for smoking, made from the roots of that shrub.
Translations
white heath
pipe
|
Derived terms
- briar-pipe