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barb¹ Definition

barb (bärb)

noun

  1. a thin, somewhat beardlike growth near the mouth of certain animals, as the barbel of a fish
  2. a piece of white linen for covering the throat and sometimes the chin, worn by certain nuns
  3. a sharp point curving or projecting in an opposite direction from the main point of a fishhook, arrow, etc.
  4. a cutting remark
  5. one of the hairlike branches on the shaft of a feather
  6. Bot. a hooked hair or bristle

Etymology: ME & OFr barbe < L barba, beard

transitive verb

to provide with a barb
barb² Definition

barb (bärb)

noun

  1. a horse of a breed native to N Africa, noted for speed and strength
  2. a breed of pigeon similar to the carrier pigeon

Etymology: Fr barbe, Barbary horse < It barbero < Ar Barbar, Berber

barb Synonyms

barb

n.

arrow, thorn, spike; see point 2.

barb Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • have: Some grass seeds have small barbs or hooks which make removal difficult.
  • contain: The probes, which contain a sharp barb, create a circuit by connecting to clothing or penetrating the skin.
  • trade: Meanwhile, the two executives traded barbs, with Ballmer taking the first jab.
  • flatten: Pliers Use them for flattening the barbs on hooks.
  • pinch: Tools Barbless hooks Barbless hooks or hooks with the barbs pinched are easiest to remove.

Adjective modifier

  • sharp: The probes, which contain a sharp barb, create a circuit by connecting to clothing or penetrating the skin.
  • small: Some grass seeds have small barbs or hooks which make removal difficult.
  • green: Over the years there has been some debate to whether green tiger barbs are dyed.
  • stinging: Then it lowers its tail over its head and gently lifts you with its stinging barb.
  • cruel: He's taken a stand and stuck to his message, ignoring the cruel barbs of cynical hipsters.
  • pointed: He could see another smaller hook with sharp pointed barbs imbedded in his leader's cheek.

Modifies a noun

  • wire: Words can be like barb wire in front of the emotion.
  • fitting: Tooling cannot be designed so as to avoid the formation of a parting line on multiple barb fittings.
  • fence: We were corralled behind barb wire fences and seldom given Liberty during the day.

Noun used with modifier

  • tiger: Over the years there has been some debate to whether green tiger barbs are dyed.
  • hose: The shroud completely supports the tubing, reducing stress on the fragile hose barb.
  • splinter: The tiny splinter barbs do no impair the penetration of the hook and alleviates damage to the fish when removing the hook.
  • micro: Barbless hooks / micro barbs ONLY Please report any breaking of the rules or problem s to the bailiff immediately.

Possessives

  • stingray: Irwin, 44, died in September after he was impaled by a stingray's barb while snorkeling off Australia.

Preposition: of

  • arrow: Small blades for setting into wooden or bone hafts and secured with resin to form the tips and barbs of arrows or harpoons.