barb

A noun with multiple meanings: an aggressive or critical remark; a sharp projection on an object such as barbed wire or an arrowhead; or a filament projecting from a feather.

ruСуществительное с несколькими значениями: агрессивное или критическое замечание; острый выступ на предмете, таком как колючая проволока или наконечник стрелы; или нить, отходящая от пера.esSustantivo con varios significados: comentario agresivo o crítico; punta o saliente afilado en un objeto, como alambre de púas o la punta de una flecha; o filamento que se desprende de una pluma.frNom avec plusieurs sens : une remarque acerbe ou critique ; une pointe acérée sur un objet tel que du fil barbelé ou une pointe de flèche ; ou une barbule s'étendant d'une plume.deSubstantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: eine verletzende oder kritische Bemerkung; ein spitzer Vorsprung an einem Gegenstand wie Stacheldraht oder einer Pfeilspitze; oder ein Seitenzweig an einer Feder.ptSubstantivo com vários sentidos: comentário agressivo ou crítico; ponta afiada de um objeto, como arame farpado ou ponta de flecha; ou filamento que sai da pena de uma ave.zh名词，有多重含义：尖刻或批评性的言语；物体上的尖锐突出部分，如铁丝网或箭头的倒刺；或羽毛上分出的细丝。arاسم له عدة معانٍ: تعليق حاد أو جارح أو نقد لاذع؛ نتوء مدبب في جسم ما مثل الأسلاك الشائكة أو رأس السهم؛ أو الشعيرة المتفرعة من ريشة الطائر.

1. Aggressive remark B2 informal

   A sharp, critical, or insulting comment aimed at someone, often intended to hurt or provoke.

   • She couldn't resist throwing a barb at his new haircut.
   • His speech was full of barbs directed at the opposition.
   • The comedian's barb about the politician drew laughter from the crowd.

   ruКолкостьesComentario mordaz o hirientefrremarque acerbedeSticheleiptAlfinetadazh挖苦话arطعنة لاذعة

   Synonymes: cutdiggibeinsultjeerjibesneertaunt

   Antonymes: complimentkindnesspraise

2. Pointed part of barbed wire B1 formal

   A sharp, projecting point on a wire, designed to prevent passage or cause injury.

   • The fence was topped with wire that had sharp barbs.
   • He cut his hand on a barb while climbing over the fence.
   • The barbs on the wire glinted in the sunlight.

   ruШипesPúa de alambre de espinofrpointe de fil barbelédeStachelptFarpazh倒刺arشوكة السلك الشائك

   Synonymes: prongspikethorn

3. Arrowhead or spear point C1 formal

   A secondary point that faces backward from the main tip of an arrow or spear, making extraction difficult.

   • The arrow had a barb that lodged firmly in the target.
   • Ancient hunters used barbs to ensure their spears stayed in the prey.
   • The barb on the harpoon prevented the fish from escaping.

   ruЗазубринаesPúa o lengüeta de flechafrBarbelure de pointe de flèche ou de lancedeWiderhakenptFarpazh倒钩arسِنّ راجع

   Synonymes: pointprongspikespur

4. Feather filament C2 formal scientific

   One of the small, parallel branches extending from the central shaft of a feather.

   • Each barb on the feather interlocked to create a smooth surface.
   • The bird preened its feathers, aligning the barbs carefully.
   • Under the microscope, the barbs of the feather appeared like tiny hooks.

   ruБородкаesRama de la plumafrBarbule (de plume)deFederstrahlptBarbazh羽支arشعيرة الريشة

   Synonymes: ramus

• barbs plural form
• barbs' possessive plural form
• barb's possessive singular form

A verb meaning to provide with a barb or barbs, or to make a sharp, critical remark.

ruСнабжать зазубриной или зазубринами, или делать резкое, критическое замечание.esProveer de barbas o púas, o hacer un comentario mordaz o crítico.frGarnir de barbes ou de pointes recourbées, ou faire une remarque acerbe et critique.deMit Widerhaken oder Zähnen versehen; eine scharfe, kritische oder spitze Bemerkung machen.ptProver algo com farpas ou pontas salientes, ou fazer um comentário agudo e crítico.zh给某物装上倒钩或倒刺；也指说出尖刻、批评性的话。arيعني تجهيز شيء ما بأسنان أو أطراف حادة كالشوكة، أو توجيه ملاحظة قاسية وجارحة إلى شخص.

1. To provide with barbs C1 formal

   To fit or equip something with sharp projections or points.

   • The blacksmith barbed the arrowheads for hunting.
   • They barbed the wire to prevent animals from escaping.
   • The craftsman carefully barbed the spear tip.

   ruСнабжать шипамиesproveer de púasfrmunir de barbesdeMit Widerhaken versehenptProver de farpaszh装上倒刺arتزويد بالشوك

2. To make a sharp or critical remark C1 informal

   To direct a cutting or sarcastic comment at someone.

   • She barbed him with a sarcastic comment about his work.
   • The politician barbed his opponent during the debate.
   • He barbed his friend for being late again.

   ruКолкостьessoltar un comentario punzantefrlancer une piquedeSpitzeptAlfinetadazh讽刺arالتعليق اللاذع

   Synonymes: gibeinsultmockneedleprovokesneersnipetaunt

• barbed past participle
• barbed past simple
• barbing present participle
• barbs third person singular