Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRI'ER, n. [Sax. brær; Ir. briar, a prickle; Fr. bruyere, heath; Arm. brug. The latter shows this word to be from the root of rough.]

1. In a general sense, a prickly plant or shrub. – Is. v, 6. Judges viii, 7.
2. In a limited sense, the sweet-brier and the wild-brier, species of the Rose.