— awned , adj. — awnless , adj.
/awn/ , n. Bot.
1. a bristlelike appendage of a plant, esp. on the glumes of grasses.
2. such appendages collectively, as those forming the beard of wheat, barley, etc.
3. any similar bristle.
[ 1250-1300; ME aw ( u ) n, agune, agene, prob. ogn, ODan aghn husk; r. and c. OE aegnan; c. Goth ahana, OHG agana (G Agen, Ahne ), D, Fris agen; OL agna ear of grain, Czech osina awn; Gk ákaina thorn, bristle, ákhne chaff ( H a ek- sharp ]