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barley

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The definition of barley is a cereal grass that has short leaves and compact flower spikes as well as seeds which are used to make malt drinks, including beer, and food for farm animals.

(noun)

Grain that is used to make ale and whiskey is an example of barley.

See barley in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a cereal grass (Hordeum vulgare and related species) with dense, bearded spikes of flowers, each made up of three single-seeded spikelets
its grain, used in making malt, soups, etc.

Origin: ME barli < OE bærlic, of barley < bere, barley + -lic ( -ly) < IE base *bhares- > farina, ON barr, grain

See barley in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A grass in the genus Hordeum, native to temperate regions, having flowers in terminal, often long-awned spikes.
The grain of H. vulgare or its varieties, used for livestock feed, malt production, and cereal.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English barli

Origin: , from Old English bǽrlic; see bhares- in Indo-European roots

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