bɑ:b n. & v. --n. 1 a
secondary backward-facing
projection from an
arrow, fish-hook,
etc.,
angled to
make extraction difficult. 2 a deliberately
hurtful remark. 3 a beardlike
filament at
the mouth of
some fish, e.g.
barbel and catfish. 4
any one of the fine hairlike filaments growing from the
shaft of a
feather, forming the
vane. --v.tr. 1
provide (an arrow, a fish-hook, etc.)
with a barb or barbs. 2 (as barbed adj.) (of a remark etc.) deliberately hurtful. øbarbed
wire wire
bearing sharp pointed spikes close
together and used in
fencing, or in
warfare as an
obstruction. [ME f. OF barbe f. L barba beard]