barb

Everyday

1. A barb is a sharp point that sticks out backwards from the tip of a fish hook, arrow or wire, so it is hard to pull out. tree →
2. A barb is an unkind remark meant to hurt someone. tree →
3. In biology, barbs are the thin side threads on a feather, and the sharp backward hooks on a bee's sting. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons a honeybee's sting has barbs, so it gets stuck in skin; feathers are made of a shaft with barbs. In safety, barbed wire on farm fences can cut you, so climb over at a gate. In stories and friendships, a barb is a mean comment. Phrases: «barbed wire», «a fish-hook barb», «a sharp barb».

Examples

• The fish hook has a barb so the fish can't slip off. tree →
• The bee's sting has tiny barbs. tree →
• Barbed wire runs along the top of the fence. tree →
• Her barb about my hair really hurt. tree →
• Each feather has hundreds of tiny barbs. tree →
• Be careful — the barbs on the wire are sharp. tree →
• The arrowhead had a barb at the back. tree →
• He ignored the barbs from the other team. tree →

Note

Countable: a barb, barbs. Adjective: barbed (barbed wire, a barbed comment). Not the same as «Barb» (a name, short for Barbara) or «barber» (a person who cuts hair). Safety: don't pull a barbed hook out of skin yourself — get an adult.

In Jewish tradition

In science lessons a honeybee's sting has barbs, so it gets stuck in skin; feathers are made of a shaft with barbs. In safety, barbed wire on farm fences can cut you, so climb over at a gate. In stories and friendships, a barb is a mean comment. Phrases: «barbed wire», «a fish-hook barb», «a sharp barb».

Note

Countable: a barb, barbs. Adjective: barbed (barbed wire, a barbed comment). Not the same as «Barb» (a name, short for Barbara) or «barber» (a person who cuts hair). Safety: don't pull a barbed hook out of skin yourself — get an adult.