Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Barley \Bar"ley\, n. [OE. barli, barlich, AS. b[ae]rlic; bere
   barley + l[=i]c (which is prob. the same as E. like, adj., or
   perh. a form of AS. le[=a]c leek). AS. bere is akin to Icel,
   barr barley, Goth. barizeins made of barley, L. far spelt;
   cf. W. barlys barley, bara bread. ?92. Cf. {Farina}, 6th
   {Bear}.] (Bot.)
   A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus {Hordeum},
   used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared
   beer, ale, and whisky.

Source : WordNet®

barley
     n 1: a grain of barley [syn: {barleycorn}]
     2: cultivated since prehistoric times; grown for forage and
        grain