barb

IPA: bˈɑrb

noun

  • The point that stands backward in an arrow, fishhook, etc., to prevent it from being easily extracted. Hence: Anything which stands out with a sharp point obliquely or crosswise to something else.
  • (figuratively) A hurtful or disparaging remark.
  • A beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it.
  • (ornithology) One of the many side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane.
  • (ichthyology) Any of various species of freshwater carp-like fish that have barbels and belong to the cyprinid family.
  • (US) The sciaenid fish Menticirrhus americanus, found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States.
  • (botany) A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.
  • (obsolete) A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners.
  • Paps, or little projections, of the mucous membrane, which mark the opening of the submaxillary glands under the tongue in horses and cattle. The name is mostly applied when the barbs are inflamed and swollen.
  • (obsolete) A bit for a horse.
  • A plastic fastener, shaped roughly like a capital I (with serifs), used to attach socks etc. to their packaging.
  • The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.
  • A blackish or dun variety of pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.
  • (informal, pharmacology) A barbiturate.
  • Armor for a horse.
  • A diminutive of the female given name Barbara.
  • A surname.
  • (slang) A fan of the American singer Nicki Minaj, especially a female one.

verb

  • To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc.
  • (Nigeria) To cut (hair).
  • (obsolete) To shave or dress the beard of.
  • (obsolete) To clip; to mow.
  • To cover a horse in armor.
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Examples of "barb" in Sentences

  • The Barb was sold for 200 guineas as a yearling.
  • The Barb proved to be highly strung and temperamental.
  • The clipper barb is of commercial interest in the industry.
  • Barbed tape is also characterised by the shape of the barbs.
  • The current superintendent of the district is Barb Thompson.
  • Aimed and fired, the harpoon barb would hook into the whale.
  • The barbs penetrated opposite sides of the mouth of the fish.
  • Barb and Ben escape and lock the other zombies in the garage.
  • Barb Lundgren is the founder of the Rethinking Education Conference.
  • Infantrymen are often trained and inured to the injuries caused by barbed wire.

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