GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   { Brier, Briar } , n. [OE. brere, brer, AS. brēr, brær; cf. Ir. briar prickle, thorn, brier, pin, Gael. preas bush, brier, W. prys, prysg.]
    A plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles; especially, species of Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax.
   1913 Webster
   Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.
   1913 Webster
   The thorns and briers of reproof.
   Cowper.
   
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Brier , n.
   the white heath Erica arborea.
   RHUD.
   
   PJC
   a smoking pipe made of the root of the brier{1}. Brierroot seems to have been used formerly as a term meaning root of the Smilax laurifolia and is now defined as root of the Erica arborea. Not clear when this changed. -- PJC.
   PJC