What does "friar" mean?

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

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Zoöl.) An American fish; the silversides. Friar bird (Zoöl.), 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 (Zoöl.), the European white or sharpnosed skate (Raia alba); -- called also Burton skate, border ray, scad, and doctor.

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