[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

brier \bri"er\, briar \bri"ar\ brimac"~er, n. oe. brere,
   brer, as. br=er, braer; cf. ir. briar prickle, thorn,
   brier, pin, gael. preas bush, brier, w. prys, prysg.
   1. a plant with a slender woody stem bearing stout prickles;
      especially, species of rosa, rubus, and smilax.
      1913 webster

   2. fig.: anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.
      1913 webster

            the thorns and briers of reproof.     --cowper.
      1913 webster

   brier root, the root of the southern smilax laurifolia
      and smilax walteri; -- used for tobacco pipes. see also
      2nd brier.

   cat brier, green brier, several species of smilax
      smilax rotundifolia, etc.

   sweet brier rosa rubiginosa. see sweetbrier.

   yellow brier, the rosa eglantina.
      1913 webster
see also:
rosa rubus smilax brier root smilax laurifolia smilax walteri 
brier cat brier green brier smilax rotundifolia sweet brier 
rosa rubiginosa sweetbrier yellow brier rosa eglantina 

Smilax >> S Words
Smilax, definition of term: Smilax
smilax_pag1.html