barb1
n.
- a sharp projection near the end of an arrow, fish hook, or similar object, which is angled away from the main point so as to make extraction difficult.
- a deliberately hurtful remark.
- a barbel at the mouth of some fish.
▸one of the fine hair-like filaments growing from the shaft of a feather, forming the vane.
- a freshwater fish with barbels around the mouth, popular in aquaria.
[Barbus pentazona and other species.]
Derivative
- barbed adj.
- barbless adj.
Etymology
ME (denoting a piece of linen worn around the chin by nuns): from OFr. barbe, from L. barba ‘beard’.
barb2
n.
a small horse of a hardy breed originally from North Africa.
Etymology
C17: from Fr. barbe, from Ital. barbero ‘of Barbary’.
