barren
[ bar-uhn ]
/ ˈbær ən /
adjective
noun
Usually barrens.
level or slightly rolling land, usually with a sandy soil and few trees, and relatively infertile.
Origin of barren
1200–50; Middle English
bareyn(e),
barayn(e) < Anglo-French
barai(
gn)e, Old French
brahaigne (French
bréhaigne (of animals) sterile), akin to Spanish
breña scrubby, uncultivated ground, Upper Italian
barena land along a lagoon covered by high water; apparently < Celtic, compare Welsh
braenar, Irish
branar fallow land, but derivational details unclear
SYNONYMS FOR barren
synonym study for barren
2. See
bare1.
OTHER WORDS FROM barren
Words nearby barren
Example sentences from the Web for barrenness
British Dictionary definitions for barrenness
barren
/ (ˈbærən) /
adjective
incapable of producing offspring, seed, or fruit; sterile
a barren tree
unable to support the growth of crops, etc; unproductive; bare
barren land
lacking in stimulation or ideas; dull
a rather barren play
not producing worthwhile results; unprofitable
a barren period in a writer's life
(foll by of)
totally lacking (in); devoid (of)
his speech was barren of wit
(of rock strata) having no fossils
Derived forms of barren
barrenly, adverb barrenness, nounWord Origin for barren
C13: from Old French
brahain, of uncertain origin
Medical definitions for barrenness
barren
[ băr′ən ]
adj.
Not producing offspring.
Incapable of producing offspring.