barleycorn

noun

bar·​ley·​corn ˈbär-lē-ˌkȯrn How to pronounce barleycorn (audio)
1
: a grain of barley
2
: an old unit of length equal to a third of an inch

Examples of barleycorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The resulting surfaces include barleycorn for the outer portion of the main dial; basket weave for the seconds subdial, which also displays the moon phase complication; clous de Paris within the calendar dials; as well as a wave and trough pattern on the hours and minute subdials. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1500, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of barleycorn was in 1500

Dictionary Entries Near barleycorn

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

barleycorn

noun
bar·​ley·​corn -ˌkȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce barleycorn (audio)
: a grain of barley
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