barb

noun16

1. •
   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. — 1545
2. •
   A hair or bristle ending in a double hook.
3. •
   (figurative) A hurtful or disparaging remark.

   • to trade barbs
4. •
   One of the many side branches of a feather, which collectively constitute the vane.
5. •
   Any of various species of freshwater carp-like fish that have barbels and belong to the cyprinid family.
6. •
   (informal) A barbiturate.
7. •
   A beard, or that which resembles it, or grows in the place of it.
8. •
   A barbel on a fish's face.

   • The barbel is so called […]by reason of his barbs, or wattles at his mouth. — 1653
9. •
   The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from Barbary into Spain by the Moors.

   • Why sends not the Bridegroom his promised gift, / Is his heart more cold, or his barb less swift? — 1813
10. •
    Armor for a horse.

    • The defensive armor with the horses of the ancient knights ... These are frequently, though improperly, stiled barbs. — 1786
11. •
    A plastic fastener, shaped roughly like a capital I (with serifs), used to attach socks etc. to their packaging.
12. •
    A blackish or dun variety of pigeon, originally brought from Barbary.
13. •
    (US) The sciaenid fish Menticirrhus americanus, found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States.
14. •
    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.
15. •
    (no longer used) A muffler, worn by nuns and mourners.
16. •
    (no longer used) A bit for a horse.

    • His loftie steed with golden sell And goodly gorgeous barbes. — 1590

verb5

1. •
   To furnish with barbs, or with that which will hold or hurt like barbs, as an arrow, fishhook, spear, etc.

   • […] for this day will pour down, / If I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower, / But rattling storm of arrows barbed with fire. — 1667
2. •
   (Nigeria) To cut (hair).
3. •
   To cover a horse in armor.

   • And now, in stead of mounting barbed steeds / To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, / He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber[…]. — 1593
4. •
   (no longer used) To shave or dress the beard of.
5. •
   (no longer used) To clip; to mow.

   • O thou pale sober night, / […] / The stooping Sitheman that dooth barbe the field, / Thou makst winke sure: […] — 1603

noun1

1. •
   (slang) A fan of American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj.

   • Minaj is thrilled to be returning to her legion of Aussie Barbz this October in a brand new full-scale arena show. — 2012