briar

¹

[ brahy-er ]

noun

1. brier ¹.

briar

²

[ brahy-er ]

noun

1. brier ².

briar

¹

/ ˈbraɪə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of brier 1

briar

²

/ ˈbraɪə /

noun

1. Also calledtree 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

Derived Forms

• ˈbriary, adjective

Other Words From

• briar·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of briar¹

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

Example Sentences

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

Trump would love to be thrown in that briar patch.

From Salon

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