American barberry

noun

: a shrub (Berberis canadensis) of the southeastern U.S. with brown branches and flowers in short umbelliform clusters

called also Allegheny barberry

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!