WordNet Dictionary- [n] evergreen treelike Mediterranean shrub having fragrant white flowers in large terminal panicles and hard woody roots used to make tobacco pipes
- [n] a very prickly woody vine of the eastern United States growing in tangled masses having tough round stems with shiny leathery leaves and small greenish flowers followed by clusters of inedible shiny black berries
- [n] Eurasian rose with prickly stems and fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers followed by scarlet hips
- [n] tangled mass of prickly plants
- [n] a thorny stem or twig
Webster's 1913 Dictionary\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}.
Easton Bible DictionaryThis word occurs frequently, and is the translation of several different terms. (1.) Micah 7:4, it denotes a species of thorn shrub used for hedges. In Prov. 15:19 the word is rendered "thorn" (Heb. _hedek_, "stinging"), supposed by some to be what is called the "apple of Sodom" (q.v.).
(2.) Ezek. 28:24, _sallon'_, properly a "prickle," such as is found on the shoots of the palm tree.
(3.) Isa. 55:13, probably simply a thorny bush. Some, following the Vulgate Version, regard it as the "nettle."
(4.) Isa. 5:6; 7:23-25, etc., frequently used to denote thorny shrubs in general. In 10:17; 27:4, it means troublesome men.
(5.) In Heb. 6:8 the Greek word (tribolos) so rendered means "three-pronged," and denotes the land caltrop, a low throny shrub resembling in its spikes the military "crow-foot." Comp. Matt. 7:16, "thistle."
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