Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

   2. (Print.) A white or pale patch on a printed page.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) An American fish; the silversides.

   {Friar bird} (Zo["o]l.), 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} (Zo["o]l.), the European white or sharpnosed
      skate ({Raia alba}); -- called also {Burton skate},
      {border ray}, {scad}, and {doctor}.