barb

The definition of a barb is a very strong insult or criticism.

(noun)

Telling someone to drop dead is an example of a barb.

See barb in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

Origin: ME & OFr barbe < L barba, beard

transitive verb

to provide with a barb

noun

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

See barb in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A sharp point projecting in reverse direction to the main point of a weapon or tool, as on an arrow or fishhook.
A cutting remark.
Zoology One of the parallel filaments projecting from the main shaft of a feather.
Botany A short, sharply hooked bristle or hairlike projection.
See barbel¹.
Any of various Old World freshwater fishes of the genus Barbus or Puntius and related genera.
A linen covering for a woman's head, throat, and chin worn in medieval times.

transitive verb barbed, barb·ing, barbs

To provide or furnish with a barb.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English barbe

Origin: , from Old French, beard

Origin: , from Latin barba; see bhardh-ā- in Indo-European roots

noun

A horse of a breed introduced by the Moors into Spain from northern Africa that resembles the Arabians and is known for its speed and endurance.
One of a breed of domestic pigeons that is similar to the carrier and has dark plumage.

Origin:

Origin: French barbe

Origin: , from Italian barbero, Berber

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin Barbaria, Barbary States

Origin: , from Latin barbarus, barbarous; see barbarous

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