barley Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a grain of barley
    barleycorn.
  2. noun cultivated since prehistoric times; grown for forage and grain

WordNet

Bar"ley noun
Etymology
OE. barli, barlich, AS. bærlic; bere barley + lic (which is prob. the same as E. like, adj., or perh. a form of AS. leac leek). AS. bere is akin to Icel, barr barley, Goth. barizeins made of barley, L. far spelt; cf. W. barlys barley, bara bread. 92. Cf. Farina, 6th Bear.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus Hordeum, used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, and whisky.

Webster 1913