Any of many plants with thorny stems growing in dense clusters, such as many in the Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax genera. / (figuratively) Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.

The white heath (Erica arborea), a thorny Mediterranean shrub. / A pipe for smoking, made from the roots of that shrub.

plural of briar

A topographic surname from Middle English. / A male or female given name from English.

Covered in briars.

plural of briar-patch

(literally) A dense thicket of thorny plants; ground made impassable by the impenetrable overgrowth of prickly vegetation.

The root of the briar (Erica arborea). / The wood of this root used to make tobacco pipes.

plural of briar-root

A sturdy, rough-coated dog of an ancient French breed.