barleycorn

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

barleycorn
    n 1: a grain of barley
    2: a grain of barley [syn: {barley}, {barleycorn}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Barleycorn \Bar"ley*corn`\, n. [See {Corn}.]
   1. A grain or "corn" of barley.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Formerly, a measure of length, equal to the average length
      of a grain of barley; the third part of an inch.
      [1913 Webster]

   {John Barleycorn}, a humorous personification of barley as
      the source of malt liquor or whisky.
      [1913 Webster]

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

BARLEYCORN. A lineal measure, containing one-third of an inch. Dane's Ab. c. 
211, a. 13, s. 9. The barleycorn was the first measure, with its division 
and multiples, of all our measures of length, superfices, and capacity. Id. 
c. 211, a. 1 2, s. 2.

from Who Was Who: 5000 B. C. to Date

BARLEYCORN

John, an eminent citizen of the world. Spent early
days in the fields, breweries, and distilleries. Later resided
in cellars.  John had a red nose. Was a great friend of
Bacchus.  He was a "wasser," he is an "iser," and he will be a
"will be-er." Ambition:  The end of temperance societies.

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