ˈbärb(ə)rəs, ˈbȧb- adjective
Etymology: Latin barbarus, from Greek barbaros foreign, rude, ignorant; perhaps akin to Sanskrit barbara stammering, non-Aryan — more at babble
1. : characterized by the use of barbarisms in speech or writing
barbarous language
: constituting a barbarism in speech or writing
a barbarous phrase
2.
a. : barbarian , uncivilized
so barbarous are some of these jungle lands that when … mapping planes dipped low, savage Indians launched futile spears … at them — National Geographic
b. : lacking culture or refinement : philistine
a large enough advance to permit him to escape … from this barbarous country to lodgings in Paris or Rome — Harrison Smith
c. : contrary to good or fashionable standards (as of taste or deportment)
the barbarous taste of our time and country, which had loaded … the furniture with bric-a-brac — Ambrose Bierce
wolfing my dinner in order to arrive at the opera house at the barbarous hour of seven-fifteen — Winthrop Sargeant
d. : barbaric , inhumane
the crimes in this country are more barbarous — W.C.Reckless
Synonyms: see barbarian , fierce