Barbel definition
One of the slender, whiskerlike tactile organs extending from the head of certain fishes, such as catfishes.
noun
A threadlike growth from the lips or jaws of certain fishes: it is an organ of touch.
noun
Any of a genus (Barbus) of large, European, freshwater cyprinoid fishes with such growths.
noun
One of the slender, whiskerlike tactile organs extending from the head of certain fishes, such as catfishes.
noun
A slender, whiskerlike feeler extending from the head of certain fish, such as the catfish. It is used for touch and taste.
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Any of several freshwater cyprinid fishes of the genus Barbus of Eurasia and Africa, especially B. barbus, having four barbels on the upper jaw.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
barbel
Plural:
barbelsOrigin of barbel
- 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