Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Barb
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.
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.
(Zool.)
One of the side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane. See
Feather
. 7.
(Zool.)
A southern name for the kingfishes of the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States; – also improperly called
whiting
. 8.
(Bot.)
A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.
Barb
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Barbed
(bärbd)
; 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
,Noun.
[F.
barbe
, fr. Barbarie
.] 1.
The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.
2.
(Zool.)
A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.
Webster 1828 Edition
Barb
B'ARB
,Noun.
1.
Beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it; as the barb of a fish, the smaller claws of the polypus,&c.2.
The down, or pubes, covering the surface of some plants; or rather, a tuft or bunch of strong hairs terminating leaves.3.
Anciently, armor for horses; formerly, barbe or barde.4.
A common name of the barbary pigeon, a bird of a black or dun color.5.
A horse from Barbary, of which it seems to be a contraction.6.
The points that stand backward in an arrow, fish-hook or other instrument for piercing, intended to prevent its being extracted.7.
In botany, a straight process armed with teeth pointing backward like the sting of a bee. This is one sort of pubescence.