catbrier


Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to catbrier: smilax

cat·bri·er

 (kăt′brī′ər)
n.
Any of several woody, usually prickly dioecious vines of the genus Smilax, having greenish unisexual flowers, heart-shaped leaves, and usually bluish to black berries. Also called greenbrier, smilax.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

catbrier

(ˈkætˌbraɪə)
n
(Plants) any prickly vines of the genus Smilax, such as greenbrier
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

cat•bri•er

(ˈkætˌbraɪ ər)

n.
any of numerous prickly vines of the genus Smilax, of the lily family, esp. S.rotundifolia, growing in tangled masses. Also called greenbrier.
[1830–40, Amer.]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.catbrier - a very prickly woody vine of the eastern United States growing in tangled masses having tough round stems with shiny leathery leaves and small greenish flowers followed by clusters of inedible shiny black berriescatbrier - a very prickly woody vine of the eastern United States growing in tangled masses having tough round stems with shiny leathery leaves and small greenish flowers followed by clusters of inedible shiny black berries
genus Smilax, Smilax - sometimes placed in Smilacaceae
vine - a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
Also known as catbrier, carrion flowers and prickly-ivy.
The east edge of the wetland is flanked by trees (principally silver maple [Acer saccharinum], river birch [Betula nigra], and sycamore [Platanus occidentalis]) and vines (peppervine [Ampelopsis arborea], trumpet creeper [Campsis radicans], catbrier [Smilax bona-nox], bristly greenbrier [Smilax tamnoides], winter grape [Vitis cinerea] and catbird grape [Vitis palmata]).
ex Torr.) Fernald; Bristly Greenbrier or Catbrier; Woodland and old-field along S.
Abandoning the careful shaving of her chin, she abruptly yanked the green invader, pulling more wisteria through the opening, followed by catbrier and kudzu, coiled in a cable.
Lowbush blueberry (OR=100%) was the most common shrub, and bracken fern (OR=100%) and catbrier (Smilax spp.; OR=79.3%) were the most commonly detected ground covers.