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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Barren

Bär'ren, a.

adjective

a. [O. Eng. barrein, bareyn, barreine, Norm. Fr. barein, O. Fr. baraigne, brahaigne, brehaigne, brehaine, brehange, sterile; Arm. brekhān, mar'lhān, sterile; L. Lat. brana, a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc. barau, baru, fasting.]

Sense 1. Incapable of producing offspring, whether animal or vegetable; unprolific; unproductive; unfruitful; sterile. “Barren mountain tracts.” Macaulay. “She was barren of children.” Bp. Hall.

Sense 2. Producing nothing; without store or supply; empty. “Brilliant but barren reveries.” Prescott. Some schemes will appear barren of hints and matter. Swift.

Sense 3. Not affected; dull; stupid. “Barren spectators.” Shak.

Băr'ren, n.

noun

n.; pl. BĀR'RENS. Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine-barrens, oak-barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, but often very fertile. [Am.] Pickering.