n. 1 any of various hardy awned cereals of the genus Hordeum widely used as food and in malt liquors and spirits such as whisky. 2 the grain produced from this (cf. pearl barley). barley sugar an amber-coloured sweet made of boiled sugar, traditionally shaped as a twisted stick. barley water a drink made from water and a boiled barley mixture.
[ OE brlic (adj.) f. bre, bere barley ]