Chapter Bricky to Brigandine of B by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Brier root

, the root of the southern Smilax laurifolia and S. Walteri; — used for tobacco pipes. — Cat brier, Green brier, several species of Smilax (S. rotundifolia, etc.) — Sweet brier See Sweetbrier. - - Yellow brier, the Rosa Eglantina.

Briered
(Bri"ered) a. Set with briers. Chatterton.

Briery
(Bri"er*y) a. Full of briers; thorny.

Briery
(Bri"er*y), n. A place where briers grow. Huloet.

Brig
(Brig) n. A bridge. [Scot.] Burns.

Brig
(Brig), n. [Shortened from Brigantine.] (Naut.) A two-masted, square-rigged vessel.

Hermaphrodite brig, a two-masted vessel square- rigged forward and schooner-rigged aft. See Illustration in Appendix.

Brigade
(Bri*gade") n. [F. brigade, fr. It. brigata troop, crew, brigade, originally, a contending troop, fr. briga trouble, quarrel. See Brigand.]

1. (Mil.) A body of troops, whether cavalry, artillery, infantry, or mixed, consisting of two or more regiments, under the command of a brigadier general.

Two or more brigades constitute a division, commanded by a major general; two or more divisions constitute an army corps, or corps d'armée. [U.S.]

2. Any body of persons organized for acting or marching together under authority; as, a fire brigade.

Brigade inspector, an officer whose duty is to inspect troops in companies before they are mustered into service. — Brigade major, an officer who may be attached to a brigade to assist the brigadier in his duties.

Brigade
(Bri*gade"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brigaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Brigading.] (Mil.) To form into a brigade, or into brigades.

Brigadier general
(Brig`a*dier" gen"er*al) [F. brigadier, fr. brigade.] (Mil.) An officer in rank next above a colonel, and below a major general. He commands a brigade, and is sometimes called, by a shortening of his title, simple a brigadier.

Brigand
(Brig"and) n. [F. brigand, OF. brigant light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans light-armed soldier (cf. It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf. Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Cf. Brigue.]

1. A light-armed, irregular foot soldier. [Obs.]

2. A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter.

Giving them not a little the air of brigands or banditti.
Jeffery.

Brigandage
(Brig"and*age) n. [F. brigandage.] Life and practice of brigands; highway robbery; plunder.

Brigandine
(Brig"an*dine) n. [F. brigandine fr. OF. brigant. See Brigand.] A coast of armor for the body, consisting of scales or plates, sometimes overlapping each other, generally of metal, and sewed to linen or other material. It was worn in the Middle Ages. [Written also brigantine.] Jer. xlvi. 4.

Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet,
And brigandine of brass.
Milton.