definitions

barbless

[ bahrb-lis ]
/ ˈbɑrb lɪs /
|

adjective

not equipped with a barb: barbless fishhooks.

Nearby words

barbiturates, barbituric, barbituric acid, barbiturism, barbizon school, barbless, barbotage, barbotine, barbour, barbour jacket, barbu

Origin of barbless

First recorded in 1880–85; barb1 + -less
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for barbless

  • With these barbless hooks the bait was not impaled, but strapped on with shreds of bark.

    Tropic Days|E. J. Banfield

  • The fang′-kao, or barbless lance blade, is next common in use.

    The Bontoc Igorot|Albert Ernest Jenks

  • It is barbless, and in place of the barb, the hook is filed long and tapering to a point as sharp as that of a needle.

    Tales of the Fish Patrol|Jack London

  • And at the time when the Bard stood up to claim the wife, a strange warrior came into the encampment, holding a barbless spear.

    Evelyn Innes|George Moore