barb

¹ American  

[bahrb] / bɑrb /

noun

1. one of a breed of horses raised originally in Barbary.

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barb ² American  

[bahrb] / bɑrb /

noun

Slang.

1. barbiturate.

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barb ³ American  

[bahrb] / bɑrb /

noun

1. a point or pointed part projecting backward from a main point, as of a fishhook or arrowhead.

   Synonyms:

   spicule, prickle, snag, barbule, prong, spike, spur

2. an obviously or openly unpleasant or cutting remark.

3. Botany, Zoology. a hooked or sharp bristle.

4. Ornithology. one of the processes attached to the rachis of a 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. Veterinary Pathology. Usually barbs. a small protuberance under the tongue in horses and cattle, especially when inflamed and swollen.

8. Also a linen covering for the throat and breast, formerly worn by women mourners and now only by some nuns.

9. Obsolete. a beard.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with a barb or barbs.

BARB ¹ British  

/ bɑːb /

acronym

1. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board

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barb ² British  

/ bɑːb /

noun

1. a breed of horse of North African origin, similar to the Arab but less spirited

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barb ³ British  

/ bɑːb /

noun

1. a subsidiary point facing in the opposite direction to the main point of a fish-hook, harpoon, arrow, etc, intended to make extraction difficult

2. any of various pointed parts, as on barbed wire

3. a cutting remark; gibe

4. any of the numerous hairlike filaments that form the vane of a feather

5. a beardlike growth in certain animals

6. a hooked hair or projection on certain fruits

7. any small cyprinid fish of the genus Barbus (or Puntius ) and related genera, such as B. conchonius ( rosy barb )

8. (usually plural) any of the small fleshy protuberances beneath the tongue in horses and cattle

9. a white linen cloth forming part of a headdress extending from the chin to the upper chest, originally worn by women in the Middle Ages, now worn by nuns of some orders

10. obsolete a beard

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verb

1. (tr) to provide with a barb or barbs

barb ⁴ British  

/ bɑːb /

noun

1. a black kelpie See kelpie 1

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barb Scientific  

/ bärb /

1. A sharp point projecting backward, as on the stinger of a bee.

2. One of the hairlike branches on the shaft of a feather.

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Other Word Forms

• barbed adjective

Etymology

Origin of barb¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from French barbe, shortened form of Italian barbero “Barbary steed,” equivalent to Barber(ia) “Barbary” + -o masculine noun suffix

Origin of barb¹

First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening

Origin of barb¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English barbe “beard, pleated cloth, barb (of an arrow),” from Middle French, Old French barbe, from Latin barba beard

Example Sentences

The two were also trading barbs over regulatory issues that they were facing behind the scenes.

From The Wall Street Journal

But, in the great tradition of Don Rickles and roast comics everywhere, she also punctured her barbs with, “You’re the best” and “I love you.”

From Los Angeles Times

A woman waiting for endometriosis treatment has said the pain she experiences is like having barbed wire in her body.

From BBC

They had traded barbs in the past, but they had also, at times, praised each other.

From Salon

The O’Smach building in which they were held was surrounded by high corrugated iron walls topped with barbed wire.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• criticism
• gibe
• insult
• sarcasm