Library / English Dictionary

BARB

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

One of the parallel filaments projecting from the main shaft of a feather

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("barb" is a kind of...):

fibril; filament; strand (a very slender natural or synthetic fiber)

Holonyms ("barb" is a part of...):

vane; web (the flattened weblike part of a feather consisting of a series of barbs on either side of the shaft)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A subsidiary point facing opposite from the main point that makes an arrowhead or spear hard to remove

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("barb" is a kind of...):

point (sharp end)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "barb"):

fluke (a barb on a harpoon or arrow)

Holonyms ("barb" is a part of...):

arrowhead (the pointed head or striking tip of an arrow)

hook (a curved or bent implement for suspending or pulling something)

lance; shaft; spear (a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The pointed part of barbed wire

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("barb" is a kind of...):

point (sharp end)

Holonyms ("barb" is a part of...):

barbed wire; barbwire (strong wire with barbs at regular intervals used to prevent passage)

Derivation:

barb (provide with barbs)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect

Example:

she takes a dig at me every chance she gets

Synonyms:

barb; dig; gibe; jibe; shaft; shot; slam

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("barb" is a kind of...):

comment; input; remark (a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "barb"):

cheap shot (an unnecessarily aggressive and unfair remark directed at a defenseless person)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Provide with barbs

Example:

barbed wire

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "barb" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

barb (the pointed part of barbed wire)

Credits