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barb - 13 dictionary results

barb

1  [bahrb]
Use barb in a Sentence
–noun
1. a point or pointed part projecting backward from a main point, as of a fishhook or arrowhead.
2. an obviously or openly unpleasant or carping remark.
3. Botany, Zoology. a hooked or sharp bristle.
4. Ornithology. one of the processes attached to the rachis of a feather.
5. one of a breed of domestic pigeons, similar to the carriers or homers, having a short, broad bill.
6. any of numerous, small, Old World cyprinid fishes of the genera Barbus and Puntius, often kept in aquariums.
7. Usually, barbs. Veterinary Pathology. a small protuberance under the tongue in horses and cattle, esp. when inflamed and swollen.
8. Also, barbe. a linen covering for the throat and breast, formerly worn by women mourners and now only by some nuns.
9. Obsolete. a beard.
–verb (used with object)
10. to furnish with a barb or barbs.
Origin:
1300–50; ME barbe < MF ≪ L barba beard or beardlike projection

Synonyms:
1. spur, spike, prong, barbule; snag, prickle, spicule.

barb

2  [bahrb]
–noun
one of a breed of horses raised originally in Barbary.
Origin:
1630–40; < F barbe, shortened form of It barbero Barbary steed, equiv. to Barber(ia) Barbary + -o masc. n. suffix

barb

3  [bahrb]
–noun Slang.
barbiturate.
Origin:
by shortening
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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barb 1   (bärb)   
n.  
  1. A sharp point projecting in reverse direction to the main point of a weapon or tool, as on an arrow or fishhook.
  2. A cutting remark.
  3. Zoology One of the parallel filaments projecting from the main shaft of a feather.
  4. Botany A short, sharply hooked bristle or hairlike projection.
  5. See barbel1.
  6. Any of various Old World freshwater fishes of the genus Barbus or Puntius and related genera.
  7. A linen covering for a woman's head, throat, and chin worn in medieval times.
tr.v.   barbed, barb·ing, barbs
To provide or furnish with a barb.

[Middle English barbe, from Old French, beard, from Latin barba; see bhardh-ā- in Indo-European roots.]
barb 2   (bärb)   
n.  
  1. A horse of a breed introduced by the Moors into Spain from northern Africa that resembles the Arabians and is known for its speed and endurance.
  2. One of a breed of domestic pigeons that is similar to the carrier and has dark plumage.

[French barbe, from Italian barbero, Berber, from Vulgar Latin Barbaria, Barbary States, from Latin barbarus, barbarous; see barbarous.]
bar·bel 1   (bär'bəl)   
n.  One of the slender, whiskerlike tactile organs extending from the head of certain fishes, such as catfishes. Also called barb1.

[Obsolete French, from Old French, from Medieval Latin barbula, diminutive of Late Latin barbus, beard, from Latin barba; see bhardh-ā- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Barb

Barb\, n. [F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See Beard, n.]

1. Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it.

The barbel, so called by reason of his barbs, or wattles in his mouth. --Walton.

2. A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners. [Obs.]

3. pl. Paps, or little projections, of the mucous membrane, which mark the opening of the submaxillary glands under the tongue in horses and cattle. The name is mostly applied when the barbs are inflamed and swollen. [Written also barbel and barble.]

4. The point that stands backward in an arrow, fishhook, etc., to prevent it from being easily extracted. Hence: Anything which stands out with a sharp point obliquely or crosswise to something else. "Having two barbs or points." --Ascham.

5. A bit for a horse. [Obs.] --Spenser.

6. (Zo["o]l.) One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.

7. (Zo["o]l.) A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting.

8. (Bot.) A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.

Barb

Barb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Barbing.]

1. To shave or dress the beard of. [Obs.]

2. To clip; to mow. [Obs.] --Marston.

3. To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc.

But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire. --Milton.

Barb

Barb\, n. [F. barbe, fr. Barbarie.]

1. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.

2. (Zo["o]l.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.

Barb

Barb\, n. [Corrupted fr. bard.] Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : barb
Spanish: lengüeta,
German: der Widerhaken,
Japanese: あご
More Translations »

barb 
c.1374, from O.Fr. barbe "beard, beardlike appendage," from L. barba "beard," cognate with O.E. beard.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: barb
Pronunciation: 'bärb
Function: noun
slang : BARBITURATE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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barb   (bärb)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. A sharp point projecting backward, as on the stinger of a bee.
  2. One of the hairlike branches on the shaft of a feather.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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