n.
Pronunciation: ' bär
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English barre, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *barra
Date: 12th century
1 a : a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide and has any of various uses (as for a lever, support, barrier, or fastening) b : a solid piece or block of material that is longer than it is wide <a bar of gold> <a candy bar > c : a usually rigid piece (as of wood or metal) longer than it is wide that is used as a handle or support especially : a handrail used by ballet dancers to maintain balance while exercising
2 : something that obstructs or prevents passage, progress, or action: as a : the destruction of an action or claim in law also : a plea or objection that effects such destruction b : an intangible or nonphysical impediment c : a submerged or partly submerged bank (as of sand) along a shore or in a river often obstructing navigation
3 a (1) : the railing in a courtroom that encloses the place about the judge where prisoners are stationed or where the business of the court is transacted in civil cases (2) : COURT , TRIBUNAL (3) : a particular system of courts (4) : an authority or tribunal that hands down judgment b (1) : the barrier in the English Inns of Court that formerly separated the seats of the benchers or readers from the body of the hall occupied by the students (2) : the whole body of barristers or lawyers qualified to practice in the courts of any jurisdiction (3) : the profession of barrister or lawyer
4 : a straight stripe, band, or line much longer than it is wide: as a : one of two or more horizontal stripes on a heraldic shield b : a metal or embroidered strip worn on a usually military uniform especially to indicate rank (as of a company officer) or service
5 a : a counter at which food or especially alcoholic beverages are served b : BARROOM c : SHOP 2B
6 a : a vertical line across the musical staff before the initial measure accent b : MEASURE
7 : a lace and embroidery joining covered with buttonhole stitch for connecting various parts of the pattern in needlepoint lace and cutwork
8 : STANDARD <wants to raise the bar for approving new drugs>
– behind bars : in jail