- Rosa rubiginosa
- Brier Bri"er, Briar Bri"ar (br[imac]"[~e]r), 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}.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings. [1913 Webster]
The thorns and briers of reproof. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
{Brier root}, the root of the southern {Smilax laurifolia} and {Smilax Walteri}; -- used for tobacco pipes. See also 2nd {brier}.
{Cat brier}, {Green brier}, several species of Smilax ({Smilax rotundifolia}, etc.)
{Sweet brier} ({Rosa rubiginosa}). See {Sweetbrier}.
{Yellow brier}, the {Rosa Eglantina}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
