-barb'-

n. [ F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See Beard, n. ] 1. Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it. [ 1913 Webster ]

The barbel, so called by reason of his barbs, or wattles in his mouth. Walton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. 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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A bit for a horse. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Zool.) One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Zool.) A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; -- also improperly called whiting. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Bot.) A hair or bristle ending in a double hook. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. barbe, fr. Barbarie. ] 1. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Corrupted fr. bard. ] Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ OE. barbican, barbecan, F. barbacane, LL. barbacana, barbicana, of uncertain origin: cf. Ar. barbakh aqueduct, sewer. F. barbacane also means, an opening to let out water, loophole. ] 1. (Fort.) A tower or advanced work defending the entrance to a castle or city, as at a gate or bridge. It was often large and strong, having a ditch and drawbridge of its own. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An opening in the wall of a fortress, through which missiles were discharged upon an enemy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Barbican. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ LL. barbicanagium. See Barbican. ] Money paid for the support of a barbican. [ Obs. ] Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Barbicanage. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to Barbados. -- n. A native of Barbados. [ 1913 Webster ]