n. [ OE. barli, barlich, AS. bærlic; bere barley + līc (which is prob. the same as E. like, adj., or perh. a form of AS. leāc leek). AS. bere is akin to Icel, barr barley, Goth. barizeins made of barley, L. far spelt; cf. W. barlys barley, bara bread. &unr_;92. Cf. Farina, 6th Bear. ] (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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Barley bird (Zool.), 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. An ancient rural game, commonly played round stacks of barley, or other grain, in which some of the party attempt to catch others who run from a goal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Lit. barley broth. See Brew. ] Liquor made from barley; strong ale. [ Humorous ] [ Scot. ] Burns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Corn. ] 1. A grain or “corn” of barley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Formerly , a measure of length, equal to the average length of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch. [ 1913 Webster ]

John Barleycorn, a humorous personification of barley as the source of malt liquor or whisky. [ 1913 Webster ]