n. & v.
--n.
1. a secondary backward-facing projection from an arrow, fish-hook, etc., angled to make extraction difficult.
2 a deliberately hurtful remark.
3 a beardlike filament at the mouth of some fish, e.g. barbel and catfish.
4 any one of the fine hairlike filaments growing from the shaft of a feather, forming the vane.
--v.tr.
1. provide (an arrow, a fish-hook, etc.) with a barb or barbs.
2 (as barbed adj.) (of a remark etc.) deliberately hurtful.
Phrases and idioms:
barbed wire wire bearing sharp pointed spikes close together and used in fencing, or in warfare as an obstruction.
Etymology: ME f. OF barbe f. L barba beard