BARBING

Verb

barbing

present participle of barb

Source: Wiktionary


BARB

Barb, n. Etym: [F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See Beard, n.]

1. Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it. The barbel, so called by reason of his barbs, or wattles in his mouth. Walton.

2. A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners. [Obs.]

3. pl.

Definition: 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.]

4. 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.

5. A bit for a horse. [Obs.] Spenser.

6. (Zoöl.)

Definition: One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.

7. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting.

8. (Bot.)

Definition: A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.

Barb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barbed (p. pr. & vb. n. Barbing.]

1. To shave or dress the beard of. [Obs.]

2. To clip; to mow. [Obs.] Marston.

3. 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.

Barb, n. Etym: [F. barbe, fr. Barbarie.]

1. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduces from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.

Barb, n. Etym: [Corrupted fr. bard.]

Definition: Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

19 April 2025

CATCH

(verb) grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of; “did you catch that allusion?”; “We caught something of his theory in the lecture”; “don’t catch your meaning”; “did you get it?”; “She didn’t get the joke”; “I just don’t get him”


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Coffee Trivia

Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method that originated in Italy. When making an espresso, a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure forces through finely-ground coffee beans. It has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages. Its smaller serving size will take three shots to equal a mug of standard brewed coffee.

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