\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}.