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Definition of barb
(Entry 1 of 4)
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 else
b : a biting or pointedly critical remark or comment
3 : barbel entry 2
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
barb
verbbarbed; barbing; barbs
Definition of barb (Entry 2 of 4)
: to furnish with a barb
barb
noun (2)Definition of barb (Entry 3 of 4)
: any of a northern African breed of horses that are noted for speed and endurance
barb
noun (3)Definition of barb (Entry 4 of 4)
slang
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Time Traveler for barb
The first known use of barb was in the 14th century
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