brine definition

1. Water saturated or strongly inpregnated with salt; pickle; hence, any strong saline solution; also, the saline residue or strong mother liquor resulting from the evaporation of natural or artificial waters.

2. The ocean; the water of an ocean, sea, or salt lake. "Not long beneath the whelming brine . . . He lay." (Cowper)

3. Tears; so called from their saltness.

<medicine> "What a deal of brine Hath washed thy sallow cheecks for Rosaline!" (Shak) Brine fly, brine which drops from granulated salt in drying, and is preserved to be boiled again.

Origin: AS. Bryne a burning, salt liquor, brine, fr. Brinnan, brynnan, to burn. See Burn.