n. 1. A grass in the genus Hordeum native to temperate regions, having flowers in terminal, often long-awned spikes and widely cultivated for its grain. 2. The grain of H. vulgare or its varieties, used in malt production and as food for livestock and humans. [Middle English barli, from Old English bærlic; see bhares- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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