BARREN

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English bareine, from Anglo-French barain, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Welsh brynar fallow land Date: 13th century not reproducing: as, incapable of producing offspring, not yet or not recently pregnant, habitually failing to fruit, not productive: as, producing little or no vegetation ; desolate , producing inferior crops , unproductive of results or gain ; fruitless , devoid , lacking, lacking interest or charm , lacking inspiration or ideas , see: bare ~ly adverb ~ness noun II. noun Date: 1651 an extent of usually level land having an inferior growth of trees or little vegetation, a tract of ~ land