barb

barb
1. noun /bɑː(r)b/
a) 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.

b) A beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it.

The defensive armor with the horses of the ancient knights ... These are frequently, though improperly, stiled barbs.

2. verb /bɑː(r)b/
a) 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. — .

b) To cover a horse in armor, corrupted from bard.

And now, in stead of mounting barbed steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, He capers nimbly in a ladys chamber...


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Synonyms:
(or excrescences like a beard), / (of a hook, etc.), , , / (of the Barbary breed), , ,


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

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