barb
- barb
- I
[[t]bɑrb[/t]]
n.
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) bot zool. a hooked or sharp bristle
4) orn one of the series of paired parallel rods that attach to the central shaft of a feather and form its web
See illus. at feather
5) orn one of a breed of domestic pigeons, similar to the carriers or homers, having a short, broad bill
6) ich
a) any of numerous small, Old World cyprinid fishes of the genera Barbus and Puntius, often kept in aquariums
7) clo
Also, barbe
a linen covering for the neck and breast, worn by women in mourning in the 14th to 16th centuries.
8) Obs. a beard
9) to furnish with a barb or barbs
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Etymology:
1300–50; ME barbe < MF « L barba beard, beardlike projection
II
barb
[[t]bɑrb[/t]]
n.
dch one of a breed of horses related to the Arabian, raised orig. in Barbary
•
Etymology:
1630–40; < F barbe < It barbero, der. of Barberia Barbary
From formal English to slang.
2014.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
Barb — may refer to: * A backward facing point on a fish hook or similar implement, rendering extraction from the victim s flesh more difficult * Barb (feather), the branches issuing from the rachis of feathers * Barb (fish), several species of… … Wikipedia
barb — barb·al·o·in; barb; barb·ing; barb·less; barb·wire; rhu·barb; … English syllables
barb — barb1 [bärb] n. [ME & OFr barbe < L barba,BEARD] 1. a thin, somewhat beardlike growth near the mouth of certain animals, as the barbel of a fish 2. a piece of white linen for covering the throat and sometimes the chin, worn by certain nuns 3.… … English World dictionary
Barb — (b[aum]rb), n. [F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See {Beard}, n.] 1. Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it. [1913 Webster] The barbel, so called by reason of his barbs, or wattles in his mouth. Walton. [1913 Webster] 2. A… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Barb — Barb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barbed} (b[aum]rbd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Barbing}.] 1. To shave or dress the beard of. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. To clip; to mow. [Obs.] Marston. [1913 Webster] 3. To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Barb — Barb, n. [F. barbe, fr. Barbarie.] 1. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Barb — Barb, n. [Corrupted fr. bard.] Armor for a horse. Same as 2d {Bard}, n., 1. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
barb — [ba:b US ba:rb] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: barbe barb, beard , from Latin barba] 1.) the sharp curved point of a hook, ↑arrow etc that prevents it from being easily pulled out 2.) a remark that is clever and amusing, but also cruel … Dictionary of contemporary English
barb — [ barb ] noun count 1. ) a short curved point on something such as a fish hook that makes it difficult to remove 2. ) a remark or criticism that is unkind, although it may seem clever or funny => BARBED … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
barb — [n1] point arrow, bristle, dart, prickle, prong, quill, shaft, spike, spur, thistle, thorn; concepts 434,836 barb [n2] pointed comment affront, criticism, cut, dig, gibe, insult, rebuff, sarcasm, scoff, sneer; concepts 52,54 Ant. kindness, praise … New thesaurus
barb- — Raíz de sonido expresivo o imitativo: ‘barbotar, barbullar’. ⇒ B...b … Enciclopedia Universal
