The meaning of BARB is a medieval cloth headdress passing over or under the chin and covering the neck.
Definition of barb noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
A barb is an unkind remark meant as a criticism of someone or something. The barb stung her exactly the way he hoped it would.
There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun barb, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
BARB meaning: 1 : a sharp point that sticks out and backward from the point of an arrow, a fishhook, etc.; 2 : a clever insult or criticism
barb - As any type of spike or projection, it is based on Latin barba, "beard"; it is also a piece of vertically pleated linen worn over or under the chin, as by nuns.
barb: A sharp point projecting in reverse direction to the main point of a weapon or tool, as on an arrow or fishhook.
Barbs are typically used in conversations or exchanges to criticize, belittle, or provoke a reaction from the recipient. Such remarks can be particularly hurtful because they are designed to pierce emotional defenses and leave a lasting impact.
Whether it is a spike on the wire atop a security fence or a mean remark someone said about you, a barb can hurt. When you encounter either kind of barb, you should stay away. Barb comes from the Latin word barba, which means “beard.”
Birds one of a breed of domestic pigeons, similar to the carriers or homers, having a short, broad bill. Fish any of numerous, small, Old World cyprinid fishes of the genera Barbus and Puntius, often kept in aquariums. Veterinary Diseases Usually, barbs. a small protuberance under the tongue in horses and cattle, esp. when inflamed and swollen.