\Barb\, n. [F. barbe, fr. L. barba beard. See {Beard}, n.]
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. (Zo["o]l.) One of the side branches of a feather, which
   collectively constitute the vane. See {Feather}.
7. (Zo["o]l.) 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\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Barbed} (?); 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\, n. [F. barbe, fr. Barbarie.]
1. The Barbary horse, a superior breed introduced from
   Barbary into Spain by the Moors.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A blackish or dun variety of the pigeon,
   originally brought from Barbary.

\Barb\, n. [Corrupted fr. bard.]
Armor for a horse. Same as 2d {Bard}, n., 1.