GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Barren , a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne, baraigne, F. bréhaigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. brékhañ, markhañ, sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc. barau, baru, fasting.]
   Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; -- said of women and female animals.
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   She was barren of children.
   Bp. Hall.
   
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   Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; sterile. “Barren mountain tracts.”  
   Macaulay.
   
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   Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty.
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   Brilliant but barren reveries.
   Prescott.
   
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   Some schemes will appear barren of hints and matter.
   Swift.
   
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   Mentally dull; stupid.
   Shak.
   
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   Barren flower, a flower which has only stamens without a pistil, or which has neither stamens nor pistils. -- Barren Grounds (Geog.), a vast tract in British America northward of the forest regions. -- Barren Ground bear (Zool.), a peculiar bear, inhabiting the Barren Grounds, now believed to be a variety of the brown bear of Europe. -- Barren Ground caribou (Zool.), a small reindeer (Rangifer Grœnlandicus) peculiar to the Barren Grounds and Greenland.
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2.       
   Barren, n.
   A tract of barren land.
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   pl. Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile. [Amer.]
   J. Pickering.
   
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