Barley
Barley ({not transcribed}) , noun
[Old English barli, barlich, Anglo-Saxon barlic; bere barley + līc (which is prob. the same as English like, adj., or perh. a form of Anglo-Saxon leāc leek). Anglo-Saxon bere is akin to Icel, barr barley, Gothic barizeins made of barley, Latin far spelt; compare Welsh barlys barley, bara bread. {not transcribed}92. Compare Farina, 6th Bear.]
(Botany) A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus Hordeum, used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, and whiskey.
Collocations (3)
Barley bird (Zoology) , 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.