BARB • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Barb

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/bɑrb/ Listen

noun

Barb 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."

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."

5.

A bit for a horse. (Obs.)

6.

(Zool.) One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.

7.

(Zool.) 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 n.

1.

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

2.

(Zool.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.

Barb n. Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1.

verb

Barb v. t. (past & past part. barbed; pres. part. barbing)

1.

To shave or dress the beard of. (Obs.)

2.

To clip; to mow. (Obs.)

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."

See images of 'Barb'

Etymology of 'Barb'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Barb" Quotes from Famous Books

... indulgence of their sensual appetites. Such fugitives from civilised life, I have never seen otherwise occupied than with their bows and arrows. The bows are small, but made of good elastic wood; the arrows are formed of small reeds, the points furnished with a well-wrought piece of bone, and a double barb, which is steeped in a potent poison of a resiny appearance. This poison is distilled from the leaves of an indigenous tree. Many prefer these arrows to fire-arms, under the idea that they can kill more game by means of a weapon that makes no report. On their return ...

— The Ethnology of the British Colonies and Dependencies • Robert Gordon Latham

... ray of moonlight under a cabin, a window opened noiselessly, and zing! a bowstring twanged its sharp warning in the tense silence. With a yelp the wolf tore the arrow from his shoulder. The warm blood followed the barb, and he lapped it eagerly in his hunger. Then, as the danger swept over him, he gave the trail cry and darted away. Doors banged open here and there; dogs barked to crack their throats; seal guns roared out and sent their heavy echoes crashing like ...

— Northern Trails, Book I. • William J. Long

... maintain his action against third persons for enticing her away or harboring her. But this harboring, to be actionable, must be more than a mere permission to her to stay with such third person. (4 Barb. 225). ...

— History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I • Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage

... the grass with his foot, and fixing it on his throwing-stick, in an instant darted it at the governor. The spear entered a little above the collar bone, and had been discharged with such force, that the barb of it came through on the other side. Several other spears were thrown, but happily no further mischief was effected. The spear was with difficulty broken by Lieutenant Waterhouse, and while the governor was leading down to the boat the people landed with the arms, but of four muskets ...

— An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Vol. 1 • David Collins

... were a returned man," the sergeant said placatingly. A pointed barb of resentment had crept into the other's tone ...

— Burned Bridges • Bertrand W. Sinclair

Copyright © 2025 Diccionario ingles.com