barb etymology

Etymology:

The word "barb" comes from the Middle English word "barbe," itself derived from the Old French word "barbe," which originally meant "beard" but was later used to refer to the pointed, hook-shaped end of an arrow.

Meaning:

1. A small, pointed projection or hook-like structure, such as:

   • The sharp point on a fishing hook
   • The jagged edges of a feather or leaf
   • The spiny projections on a cactus

2. A piece of wire or other material used to secure or fasten something:

   • The barbed wire used in fences
   • The barbs on a fishhook

Origin:

The word "barb" ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ǵʰrebʰ-," which meant "to scratch, scrape, or carve." This root also gave rise to the words "carve" and "graze."

Usage in English:

The word "barb" has been used in English since the 14th century. It is commonly used in contexts related to fishing, weaponry, and fencing.

barb relate terms

• barb

  Etymology The word barb comes from the Middle English word barbe itself derived fro

• wire

  Etymology Old English wīre Proto Germanic wīrą Proto Indo European weyro to t

• barber

  Etymology The word barber comes from the Late Latin word barba meaning beard The

• barb

  Etymology The word barb comes from the Middle English word barbe itself derived fro

• rebarbative

  Etymology Re prefix meaning back against or again Barbara noun a foreign

• barb

  Etymology The word barb comes from the Middle English word barbe itself derived fro

• shaft

  Etymology Middle English schafte schafte from Old English sceaft sceaft shaft of

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• gloss

  Etymology From Middle English glose from Old French glose from Medieval Latin gl

• nave

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• change

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words

• modify

  1 Etymology a Definition The study of the history of words including their origins f

• marker

  Etymology The word marker is derived from the Old French word marquier which itself