BARBEL


Meaning of BARBEL in English

I. ˈbärbəl, ˈbȧb- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin barbellus, diminutive of Latin barbus barbel — more at barbus

1. : a large European freshwater fish ( Barbus fluviatilis ) with four barbels on its upper jaw

2. : any of various species of the genus Barbus

II. noun

( -s )

Etymology: obsolete French (now barbeau ), from Middle French, diminutive of barbe barb, beard, from Latin barba — more at beard

1. : a slender tactile process on the lips of certain fishes (as catfishes and cyprinoids)

2. barbels plural : barb I 4 — used especially when the processes are inflamed and turgid

3. : a fleshy process on the chin or neck of some turtles

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.