Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Friar?

\Fri"ar\, n. [OR. frere, F. fr[`e]re brother, friar, fr. L. frater brother. See {Brother}.] 1. (R. C. Ch.) A brother or member of any religious order, but especially of one of the four mendicant orders, viz: {(a) Minors, Gray Friars, or Franciscans.} {(b) Augustines}. {(c) Dominicans or Black Friars.} {(d) White Friars or Carmelites.} See these names in the Vocabulary. 2. (Print.) A white or pale patch on a printed page. 3. (Zo["o]l.) An American fish; the silversides. {Friar bird} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian bird ({Tropidorhynchus corniculatus}), having the head destitute of feathers; -- called also {coldong}, {leatherhead}, {pimlico}; {poor soldier}, and {four-o'clock}. The name is also applied to several other species of the same genus. {Friar's balsam} (Med.), a stimulating application for wounds and ulcers, being an alcoholic solution of benzoin, styrax, tolu balsam, and aloes; compound tincture of benzoin. --Brande & C. {Friar's cap} (Bot.), the monkshood. {Friar's cowl} (Bot.), an arumlike plant ({Arisarum vulgare}) with a spathe or involucral leaf resembling a cowl. {Friar's lantern}, the ignis fatuus or Will-o'-the-wisp. --Milton. {Friar skate} (Zo["o]l.), the European white or sharpnosed skate ({Raia alba}); -- called also {Burton skate}, {border ray}, {scad}, and {doctor}.