BARB

Definitions for the word, barb

(n.) A bit for a horse.

(n.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.

(n.) A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.

(n.) A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners.

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

(n.) Armor for a horse. Same as 2d Bard, n., 1.

(n.) Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it.

(n.) One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See Feather.

(n.) 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.

(n.) The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.

(n.) 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.

(v. t.) To clip; to mow.

(v. t.) To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc.

(v. t.) To shave or dress the beard of.