Barbel Definition

bärbəl

noun

A threadlike growth from the lips or jaws of certain fishes: it is an organ of touch.

Webster's New World

Any of several freshwater cyprinid fishes of the genus Barbus of Eurasia and Africa, especially B. barbus, having four barbels on the upper jaw.

American Heritage

Any of a genus (Barbus) of large, European, freshwater cyprinoid fishes with such growths.

Webster's New World

One of the slender, whiskerlike tactile organs extending from the head of certain fishes, such as catfishes.

American Heritage Medicine

A freshwater fish of the genus Barbus.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Barbel

Singular:

barbel

Plural:

barbels

Obsolete French from Old French from Medieval Latin barbula diminutive of Late Latin barbus beard from Latin barba bhardh-ā- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old French from Medieval Latin barbellus diminutive of barbus from Latin barba beard barbel¹

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French barbel.

From Wiktionary

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