barb
- barb
-
barb1
/bahrb/, n.
1. a point or pointed part projecting backward from a main point,
as of a fishhook or arrowhead.
See illus.
under fishhook.
2. an obviously or openly unpleasant or carping remark.
3. Bot., Zool. a hooked or sharp bristle.
4. Ornith. one of the processes attached to the rachis of a feather.
See illus.
under 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.
Vet. Pathol. 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. Obs. a beard.
v.t.
10. to furnish with a barb or barbs.
[
1300-50; ME barbe < MF L barba BEARD or beardlike projection]
Syn. 1. spur,
spike,
prong,
barbule;
snag,
prickle,
spicule.
barb2
/bahrb/, n.
one of a breed of horses raised originally in Barbary.
[
1630-40; < F barbe, shortened form of It barbero Barbary steed, equiv. to Barber(ia) Barbary + -o masc. n. suffix]
barb3
/bahrb/, n. Slang.
barbiturate.
[by shortening]
* * *
▪ breed of horse
native horse breed of the Barbary states of North Africa.
It is related to,
and probably an offshoot of,
the Arabian horse but is larger,
with a lower placed tail,
and has hair at the fetlock (
above and behind the hoof).
The coat colour is usually bay or brown.
Like the Arabian,
it is noted for speed and endurance.
A variety known as the Spanish-
Barb is bred in small numbers in the United States.
* * *
Universalium.
2010.
Synonyms:
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