Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - barley

n. 1 any of various hardy awned cereals of the genus Hordeum widely used as food and in malt liquors and spirits such as whisky. 2 the grain produced from this (cf. pearl barley). Phrases and idioms barley sugar an amber-coloured sweet made of boiled sugar, traditionally shaped as a twisted stick. barley water a drink made from water and a boiled barley mixture. Etymology: OE b{aelig}rlic (adj.) f. b{aelig}re, bere barley