barre

¹

or bar

[ bahr ]

noun

, Ballet.

1. a handrail placed at hip height, used by a dancer to maintain balance during practice.

barré

²

[ bah-rey ]

noun

1. Textiles. a pattern of stripes or bands of color extending across the warp in woven and knitted fabrics.
2. Textiles. a streak in the filling direction when one or more picks are of a color different from that of adjacent picks.
3. Music. a technique of playing a chord on a stringed instrument by laying a finger across the strings at a particular fret, raising their pitch.

barre

¹

/ bar /

noun

1. a rail at hip height used for ballet practice and leg exercises

barré

²

/ ˈbæreɪ /

noun

1. See capo
   the act of laying the index finger over some or all of the strings of a guitar, lute, or similar instrument, so that the pitch of each stopped string is simultaneously raised Compare capo 1
2. the playing of chords in this manner

verb

1. to execute (chords) in this manner

adverb

1. by using the barré

Word History and Origins

Origin of barre¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Origin of barre²

< French: literally, barred, past participle of barrer, derivative of barre bar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of barre¹

literally: bar

Origin of barre²

C19: from French, from barrer bar ¹

Example Sentences

The bill was strenuously opposed, Chatham in the lords, and Burke and Barré in the commons speaking strongly against it.

From Project Gutenberg

Colonel Barré moved an amendment to strike out from the resolution the words "in all cases whatsoever."

From Project Gutenberg

Colonel Barré even applauded the good temper with which the subject had been discussed, and refused to make any opposition.

From Project Gutenberg

His chief political lieutenants were Dunning and Barré, who at the time sat for his borough Calne.

From Project Gutenberg

Nicholas Barré, a man of great firmness and intelligence, one of their number, at length presented himself before the captain.

From Project Gutenberg