barb´less

barb¹ «bahrb», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a point sticking out and curving backward from the main point of an arrow or fishhook: »

The barb of the hook stuck in my finger.

2. Figurative. something that wounds or stings: »

the stinging barb of sarcasm.

3. Zoology. a) one of the hairlike branches on the shaft of a bird's feather. b) a projection on the tip of a quill of some porcupines.

4. a long, thin growth hanging from the mouth; barbel: »

the barbs of a catfish.

5. Botany. a hair terminating in a hook or hooks.

6. part of a medieval woman's headdress, still often worn by nuns, consisting of a piece of white linen passed over or under the chin.

7. a woman's lace neckband or scarf.

8. Obsolete. the beard of a man.

–v.t.

to furnish with barbs: »

to barb a hook. Figurative. In anger he barbed his reply.

╂[< Old French barbe < Latin barba beard]

–barb´less, adjective.

barb² «bahrb», noun.

1. a kind of horse that has great speed, endurance, and gentleness. It was introduced into Spain from the Barbary States by the Moors.

2. any bird of a breed of domestic pigeons allied to the carrier pigeons, having a short, broad beak.

╂[< French barbe < Italian barbero < Latin barbarus barbarian, also Berber]