briar1
/brʌɪə
/(also brier)
noun
Any of a number of prickly scrambling shrubs, especially a wild rose.
- Genus Rosa, family Rosaceae: several species, including the Eurasian sweet briar (R. rubiginosa).
- Glen smiled at the thought of a dirty forest with trees, briars, and wild animals.
- Throughout this long afternoon, we remained motionless in the briar patch.
Derivatives
briary
- Concentrated and briary, it is spurred on by the 20 per cent grenache used in the blend.
- This offering heaves with fat, rustic, briary fruit.
- This bold, briary, palate is terrific value and will work well with hearty, meaty winter soups.
Origin
Old English brǣr, brēr, of unknown origin.
Rhymes
briar2
/brʌɪə/(also brier)
noun
1 (also briar pipe) A tobacco pipe made from woody nodules borne at ground level by a large woody plant of the heather family.The Centenier finished his coffee, while Holmes selected and filled his briar pipe....
- The briar pipe continued to epitomise solid, dependable, common sense masculinity.
- Every man present had filled his clay or briar pipes with good Virginia tobacco.
2The tree heath, which bears the nodules from which briar pipes are made.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French bruyère 'heath, heather', from medieval Latin brucus.