Definition of barb
1 : a medieval cloth headdress passing over or under the chin and covering the neck
2a : a sharp projection extending backward (as from the point of an arrow or fishhook) and preventing easy extraction; also : a sharp projection with its point similarly oblique to something elseb : a biting or pointedly critical remark or comment
3 : 2barbel
4 : any of the side branches of the shaft of a feather — see feather illustration
5 : a plant hair or bristle ending in a hook
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of barb
Middle English barbe barb, beard, from Anglo-French, from Latin barba — more at beard
First Known Use: 14th century
barb
Definition of barb
transitive verb
: to furnish with a barb
1759
First Known Use of barb
1759
barb
Definition of barb
: any of a northern African breed of horses that are noted for speed and endurance
Origin and Etymology of barb
French barbe, from Italian barbero, from barbero of Barbary, from Barberia Barbary, coastal region in Africa
First Known Use: circa 1610
1967
First Known Use of barb
1967
BARB Defined for Kids
barb
playDefinition of barb for Students
: a sharp point that sticks out and backward (as from the tip of an arrow or fishhook)
barbed
\ˈbärbd\ adjectiveMedical Dictionary
Learn More about barb
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See words that rhyme with barb Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for barb Spanish Central: Translation of barb Nglish: Translation of barb for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barb
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