barberry

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a thorny shrub of the genus Berberis, typically bearing yellow flowers and red or dark berries

   A dense barberry hedge bordered the old field.

2. 2
   noun

   the small tart fruit of a barberry shrub

   The cook scattered dried barberry over the rice.

From Middle English berberie, through Medieval Latin berberis and ultimately a Near Eastern plant name, with later influence from English berry. The shrub name was also applied to its tart edible fruit.

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