barb

/bɑ:b/

Thân thiện

A single feather rests on a wooden table, its delicate barbs catching the light.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sharp projection extending backward from a point: A barb is a small, sharp point that curves backward, making something difficult to remove once embedded. This is the primary feature of fishhooks, arrows, and barbed wire.
   • A critical or cutting remark: A barb is a pointed, often sarcastic, comment intended to hurt or criticize someone.
   • A side filament on a feather: In ornithology, a barb is one of the slender, parallel strands that branch off from the central shaft (rachis) of a feather, forming the vane.

2. Verb:

   • To furnish with a barb or barbs: To provide something, like a hook or a comment, with a sharp, backward-pointing projection or a stinging quality.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Physical Projection):

  • The fishhook had a sharp barb to prevent the fish from escaping.
  • Barbed wire gets its name from the sharp barbs spaced along the strands.

• Noun (Critical Remark):

  • Her compliment was laced with a subtle barb about his tardiness.
  • He ignored the political barbs during the debate.

• Noun (Feather Part):

  • Under the microscope, you can see the intricate structure of the barbs on the feather.

• Verb:

  • The journalist barbed her question to provoke a revealing response.
  • Historically, arrows were barbed to cause more severe wounds.

Advanced Usage

• "Barbed" (Adjective): Having one or more barbs; characterized by sharp criticism.
  • The politician delivered a barbed critique of the new policy.
  • They installed a barbed wire fence around the perimeter.

Variants and Related Words

• Barbed (adj): Equipped with barbs; pointedly critical.
• Barbless (adj): Lacking barbs (e.g., a barbless hook used in catch-and-release fishing).
• Barbwire (n): A variant spelling of "barbed wire."

Synonyms

• Noun (Remark): Dig, gibe, jab, insult, sarcasm, taunt.
• Noun (Projection): Point, prong, spike, thorn, hook.
• Verb: Sharpen, point, equip.

Related Phrases

• Barbed wire: A type of fencing wire constructed with sharp barbs at intervals.
  • The cattle were contained by a fence of barbed wire.
• Trade barbs: To exchange sharp, critical remarks with someone.
  • The two candidates traded barbs throughout the interview.

Related Idioms

• A barbed comment/remark: A comment that is deliberately hurtful or critical.
  • She made a barbed comment about his cooking skills.

Học thuật

Noun

1. one of the parallel filaments projecting from the main shaft of a feather
2. a subsidiary point facing opposite from the main point that makes an arrowhead or spear hard to remove
3. the pointed part of barbed wire
4. an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
   • his parting shot was `drop dead'
   • she threw shafts of sarcasm
   • she takes a dig at me every chance she gets

Verb

1. provide with barbs
   • barbed wire

Từ đồng nghĩa

• shot
• shaft
• slam
• dig
• jibe
• gibe