barleybreak

noun

bar·​ley·​break
variants or less commonly barleybrake
-ˌbrāk
plural -s
: an old British group game in which one couple or player stationed in a defined area called "hell" or the "barley field" tries to catch the others as they venture into it

Word History

Etymology

probably from barley entry 2 + break

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near barleybreak

Cite this Entry

“Barleybreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barleybreak. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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