rebarbative

[ ree-bahr-buh-tiv ]

adjective

1. causing annoyance, irritation, or aversion; repellent.

rebarbative

/ rɪˈbɑːbətɪv /

adjective

1. fearsome; forbidding

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebarbative¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from French, feminine of rébarbatif “disagreeable, repugnant,” from Middle French rebarber “to oppose, confront,” literally “to go beard to beard, head to head,” equivalent to ré- re- + barbe “beard,” from Latin barba “beard” ( beard ( def ) ) + -atif -ative

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebarbative¹

C19: from French rébarbatif , from Old French rebarber to repel (an enemy), to withstand (him) face to face, from re- + barbe beard, from Latin barba

Example Sentences

Again, they hope to find this one rather less rebarbative than Law or Mathematics.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aggravating
• annoying
• distressing
• disturbing
• inconvenient
• irritating
• troublesome
• vexing