{ Bri″er, Bri″ar } (�), n. [OE. brere, brer, AS. brēr, brær; 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. Walteri; — 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.