Brier \Bri"er\, Briar \Bri"ar\, n. [OE. brere, brer, AS.
br[=e]r, br[ae]r; 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 S. Walteri; -- used for tobacco pipes.
Cat brier, Green brier, several species of Smilax (S.
rotundifolia, etc.)
Sweet brier (Rosa rubiginosa). See Sweetbrier.
Yellow brier, the Rosa Eglantina.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|