~ 1
■ noun
1》 a sharp projection near the end of an arrow, fish hook, or similar object, which is angled away from the main point so as to make extraction difficult.
2》 a deliberately hurtful remark.
3》 a ~el at the mouth of some fish.
↘one of the fine hair-like filaments growing from the shaft of a feather, forming the vane.
4》 a freshwater fish with ~els around the mouth, popular in aquaria. [ Barbus pentazona and other species.]
Derivatives
~ed adjective
~less adjective
Origin
ME (denoting a piece of linen worn around the chin by nuns): from OFr. ~e , from L. ~a 'beard'.
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~ 2
■ noun a small horse of a hardy breed originally from North Africa.
Origin
C17: from Fr. ~e , from Ital. ~ero 'of Barbary'.