[AS.] A plant of the Grass family, cultivated for its seeds, which are a valuable grain used for food. It is hardier than wheat, maize, or oats, and is grown in northern countries like Russia, Norway, Denmark, Scotland, etc, being found as far north as latitude 700. Barley is a shallow-rooted plant, drawing its plant-food mainly from the surface layer by curious root-hairs. Barley-meal is used for fattening pigs and cattle, and when boiled, horses also. Barley is mostly used in brewing beer and ale, and in distilling spirits.