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briar

1 American  
[brahy-er] / ˈbraɪ ər /

noun

  1. brier.


briar 2 American  
[brahy-er] / ˈbraɪ ər /

noun

  1. brier.


briar 1 British  
/ ˈbraɪə /

noun

  1. Also called: tree heath.  an ericaceous shrub, Erica arborea , of S Europe, having a hard woody root (briarroot)

  2. a tobacco pipe made from the root of this plant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

briar 2 British  
/ ˈbraɪə /

noun

  1. a variant spelling of brier 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • briary adjective

Etymology

Origin of briar

C19: from French bruyère heath, from Late Latin brūcus , of Gaulish origin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The glasses were sold along with a Barling briar pipe and two photographs of the comic.

From BBC

It created a taut moment before we were launched into the briar patch below and Br’er Rabbit could hop to safety.

From Los Angeles Times

But like Brer Rabbit hitting the briar patch, Santos has landed in a spotlight that is, for now, warm and inviting.

From Salon

Now he's caught in a briar patch of predatory lending endangering his life and his and Dennis' livelihood.

From Salon

Guests will have their final chance to plunge a five-story drop through a briar patch on May 30, giving Disneyland attendees one last busy Memorial Day weekend to experience the attraction in its current form.

From Los Angeles Times