from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. (Print.) A white or pale patch on a printed page.
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3. (Zool.) An American fish; the silversides.
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{Friar bird} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.), the European white or sharpnosed skate
({Raia alba}); -- called also {Burton skate}, {border
ray}, {scad}, and {doctor}.
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