Friar \Fri"ar\, n. [OR. frere, F. fr[`e]re brother, friar, fr.
   L. frater brother. See Brother.]
   1. (R. C. Ch.) A brother or member of any religious order,
      but especially of one of the four mendicant orders, viz:
      (a) Minors, Gray Friars, or Franciscans. (b)
      Augustines. (c) Dominicans or Black Friars. (d) White
      Friars or Carmelites. See these names in the Vocabulary.
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   2. (Print.) A white or pale patch on a printed page.
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   3. (Zool.) An American fish; the silversides.
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   Friar bird (Zool.), an Australian bird (Tropidorhynchus
      corniculatus), having the head destitute of feathers; --
      called also coldong, leatherhead, pimlico; poor
      soldier, and four-o'clock. The name is also applied to
      several other species of the same genus.

   Friar's balsam (Med.), a stimulating application for wounds
      and ulcers, being an alcoholic solution of benzoin,
      styrax, tolu balsam, and aloes; compound tincture of
      benzoin. --Brande & C.

   Friar's cap (Bot.), the monkshood.

   Friar's cowl (Bot.), an arumlike plant (Arisarum vulgare)
      with a spathe or involucral leaf resembling a cowl.

   Friar's lantern, the ignis fatuus or Will-o'-the-wisp.
      --Milton.

   Friar skate (Zool.), the European white or sharpnosed skate
      (Raia alba); -- called also Burton skate, border
      ray, scad, and doctor.
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