Bri"er, Bri"ar (?), n. [OE. brere, brer, AS. br�xc7;r, braer; 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. Walleri; -- 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.
© Webster 1913.