awn /ɔːn/ noun1 •The bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, etc., or any similar bristlelike appendage; arista.In one exotic genus, Aristida, the awn is compound, having three forks or branches; another exotic genus, Pappophorum, is remarkable in having the flowering glume armed with a dozen or more awns. — 1909 formsawns
