barley-bree

noun

bar·​ley-bree ˈbär-lē-ˌbrē How to pronounce barley-bree (audio)
variants or less commonly barley-broo
chiefly Scotland
: whisky
also : malt liquor

Word History

Etymology

barley + Scots bree or broo (bree)

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barley-bree was in 1724

Dictionary Entries Near barley-bree

Cite this Entry

“Barley-bree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barley-bree. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on barley-bree

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!