briony
1
9.9
A climbing plant with large leaves and poisonous berries
- noun
- /ˈbraɪəni/
- Specialized
:
brionia
Synonyms
9.9
A climbing plant with large leaves and small flowers that is poisonous
is the alternative spelling often used in botanical contexts
9.9
A climbing wild plant with small berries that can be poisonous
refers to a single plant type noted for acrid, emetic and purgative juice
9.9
A climbing plant with white flowers, thick roots, and small black berries
is broader and highlights the plant's acrid juice and medicinal purging effect
9.9
A climbing vine with white flowers, thick roots, and small black poisonous berries
focuses instead on the plant's acrid juice used to cause vomiting and purging
9.9
A climbing plant that grows back every year with small red poisonous berries
centres on the plant's acrid juice and its emetic and purgative properties
9.9
A climbing plant with pale green flowers and small red poisonous berries
emphasises the plant's acrid, medicinal juice and its purging effect
Surface Forms
Etymology
Briony comes from the old Greek name bryonia, which is linked to a root meaning 'to swell' and gives a clear image of the plant's thick, swollen roots and round berries. That's why briony refers to this climbing vine with strong, bitter juice that must be handled with care.