a point or pointed part projecting backward from a main point, as of a fishhook or arrowhead.
an obviously or openly unpleasant or cutting remark.
Botany, Zoology. a hooked or sharp bristle.
Ornithology. one of the processes attached to the rachis of a feather.
one of a breed of domestic pigeons, similar to the carriers or homers, having a short, broad bill.
any of numerous, small, Old World cyprinid fishes of the genera Barbus and Puntius, often kept in aquariums.
Usually barbs.Veterinary Pathology. a small protuberance under the tongue in horses and cattle, especially when inflamed and swollen.
Also barbe. a linen covering for the throat and breast, formerly worn by women mourners and now only by some nuns.
Obsolete. a beard.
verb (used with object)
to furnish with a barb or barbs.
Origin of barb
1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English barbe “beard, pleated cloth, barb (of an arrow),” from Middle French, Old French barbe, from Latin barba beard
one of a breed of horses raised originally in Barbary.
Origin of barb
2
First recorded in 1600–10; from French barbe, shortened form of Italian barbero “Barbary steed,” equivalent to Barber(ia) “Barbary” + -o masculine noun suffix
Wind barbs Wind barbs are the most visible portion of a station plot.
How to Read a Surface Weather Map|Dennis Mersereau|October 15, 2020|Outside Online
A patch with smaller barbs punctured the slim stem of a tomato plant.
Silk-based microneedles may help treat diseased plants|Kathryn Hulick|June 18, 2020|Science News For Students
On exposure to ultraviolet light, the barbs curved downward.
Micro-barbs could make shots less painful|Stephen Ornes|May 13, 2020|Science News For Students
To make the microneedle’s barbs, the researchers took advantage of a curious effect of this type of 3-D printing.
Micro-barbs could make shots less painful|Stephen Ornes|May 13, 2020|Science News For Students
Bills are piling up in an Iowa court case, Heki v. Bachmann, filed by another former Bachmann staffer, Barb Heki.
Exclusive: Congressional Ethics Probe Adds to Michele Bachmann’s Political Woes|John Avlon|March 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But every barb is delivered with a wink—and a chiseled, dashing smile.
Behind the Scenes at ‘The Soup’: Joel McHale, Brian Williams & More|Kevin Fallon|February 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even an exchange on gun control enabled Obama to recycle a barb once used against John Kerry, who played Romney in debate prep.
Barack Obama Seizes the Upper Hand Over Mitt Romney at Second Debate|Howard Kurtz|October 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Nora could arm and disarm within a sentence, could wield a barb and its curative salve within a phrase.
Remembering Nora Ephron as Our Dorothy Parker, but More|Stephen Schiff|June 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
No matter how antagonistic the question or the barb, Jackson keeps a low voice and a respectful tone.
Obama's Big Green Gun|Michelle Cottle|November 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
At our feet lay the prairie-horse with the barb in his vitals, and the feathered shaft protruding from his side.
The War Trail|Mayne Reid
The use of oval wire shows an effort to prevent slipping of the barb.
Agricultural Implements and Machines in the Collection of the National Museum of History and Technology|John T. Schlebecker
That was her way of replying to the Parthian arrow; but the barb was poisoned.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete|George Meredith
The barb was now covered with a protective binding of leaves.
In Africa|John T. McCutcheon
The harpoon blade is made like an arrow, but with only one barb, which turns on a steel pivot.
Swept Out to Sea|W. Bertram Foster
British Dictionary definitions for barb (1 of 4)
barb1
/ (bɑːb) /
noun
a subsidiary point facing in the opposite direction to the main point of a fish-hook, harpoon, arrow, etc, intended to make extraction difficult
any of various pointed parts, as on barbed wire
a cutting remark; gibe
any of the numerous hairlike filaments that form the vane of a feather
a beardlike growth in certain animals
a hooked hair or projection on certain fruits
any small cyprinid fish of the genus Barbus (or Puntius) and related genera, such as B. conchonius (rosy barb)
(usually plural)any of the small fleshy protuberances beneath the tongue in horses and cattle
a white linen cloth forming part of a headdress extending from the chin to the upper chest, originally worn by women in the Middle Ages, now worn by nuns of some orders
obsoletea beard
verb
(tr)to provide with a barb or barbs
Derived forms of barb
barbed, adjective
Word Origin for barb
C14: from Old French barbe beard, point, from Latin barba beard
British Dictionary definitions for barb (2 of 4)
barb2
/ (bɑːb) /
noun
a breed of horse of North African origin, similar to the Arab but less spirited
Word Origin for barb
C17: from French barbe, from Italian barbero a Barbary (horse)
British Dictionary definitions for barb (3 of 4)
barb3
/ (bɑːb) /
noun
Australiana black kelpieSee kelpie 1
Word Origin for barb
C19: named after one that was named Barb after a winning racehorse