barley

Noun
Synonyms: barleycorn

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a grain of barleySynonyms: barleycorn
  2. cultivated since prehistoric times; grown for forage and grain
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Barley \Bar"ley\, n. [OE. barli, barlich, AS. b[ae]rlic; bere barley + l[imac]c (which is prob. the same as E. like, adj., or perh. a form of AS. le[=a]c leek). AS. bere is akin to Icel, barr barley, Goth. barizeins made of barley, L. far spelt; cf. W. barlys barley, bara bread. ?92. Cf. Farina, 6th Bear.] (Bot.) A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus Hordeum, used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, and whisky. [1913 Webster]

Barley bird (Zool.), the siskin.

Barley sugar, sugar boiled till it is brittle (formerly with a decoction of barley) and candied.

Barley water, a decoction of barley, used in medicine, as a nutritive and demulcent. [1913 Webster] Barleybrake

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