barb

Definitions

1. 1.A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners. [Obs.]
2. 2.pl. 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. [Written also barbel and barble.]
3. 3.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. "Having two barbs or points." Ascham.
4. 4.A bit for a horse. [Obs.] Spenser.
5. 5.(Zoöl.) One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.
6. 6.(Zoöl.) A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting.
7. 7.(Bot.) A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.
8. 8.To shave or dress the beard of. [Obs.]
9. 9.To clip; to mow. [Obs.] Marston.
10. 10.To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc. But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire. Milton.
11. 11.The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduces from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.
12. 12.(Zoöl.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.
13. 13.Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "barb" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is barb.

• What is a muffler, worn by nuns and mourners. [Obs.] called?
• What is one of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather called?
• What is a southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting called?
• What is a hair or bristle ending in a double hook called?
• What is to furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc. But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire. Milton called?
• What is the Barbary horse, a superior breed introduces from Barbary into Spain by the Moors called?
• What is a blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary called?
• What is armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1 called?