BARRIER
barrier
(noun) a structure or object that impedes free movement
barrier, roadblock
(noun) any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective; “intolerance is a barrier to understanding”
barrier
(noun) anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
barrier (plural barriers)
A structure that bars passage.
An obstacle or impediment.
A boundary or limit.
(grammar) A node (in government and binding theory) said to intervene between other nodes A and B if it is a potential governor for B, c-commands B, and does not c-command A.
(physiology) A separation between two areas of the body where specialized cells allow the entry of certain substances but prevent the entry of others.
(historical) The lists in a tournament.
(historical, in the plural) A martial exercise of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Synonyms
• See also hindrance
Verb
barrier (third-person singular simple present barriers, present participle barriering, simple past and past participle barriered)
(transitive) To block or obstruct with a barrier.
Synonym: bar
Proper noun
Barrier (plural Barriers)
A surname.
Statistics
• According to the 2010 United States Census, Barrier is the 10657th most common surname in the United States, belonging to 3002 individuals. Barrier is most common among White (88.14%) individuals.
Source: Wiktionary
Bar"ri*er, n. Etym: [OE. barrere, barere, F. barrière, fr. barre bar.
See Bar, n.]
1. (Fort.)
Definition: A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a
passage in order to stop an enemy.
2. A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country,
commanding an avenue of approach.
3. pl.
Definition: A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep
back a crowd.
No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists. Sir
W. Scott.
4. An any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack.
"Constitutional barriers." Hopkinson.
5. Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.
'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier ! Pope.
Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier.
– Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general
direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less
extensive.
– To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a
martial exercise. [Obs.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition