Word Definition

Barb

  1. A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.
  2. A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners.
  3. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.
  4. Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it.
  5. A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.
  6. To shave or dress the beard of.
  7. To clip; to mow.
  8. A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting.
  9. One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.
  10. A bit for a horse.
  11. To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1.

Synonyms