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barbel

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barbel


  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Barb  \Barb\,  n.  [F.  barbe,  fr  L.  barba  beard.  See  {Beard},  n.] 
  1.  Beard,  or  that  which  resembles  it  or  grows  in  the  place 
  of  it 
 
  The  barbel,  so  called  by  reason  of  his  barbs,  or 
  wattles  in  his  mouth.  --Walton. 
 
  2.  A  muffler,  worn  by  nuns  and  mourners.  [Obs.] 
 
  3.  pl  Paps,  or  little  projections,  of  the  mucous  membrane, 
  which  mark  the  opening  of  the  submaxillary  glands  under 
  the  tongue  in  horses  and  cattle.  The  name  is  mostly 
  applied  when  the  barbs  are  inflamed  and  swollen.  [Written 
  also  {barbel}  and  {barble}.] 
 
  4.  The  point  that  stands  backward  in  an  arrow,  fishhook, 
  etc.,  to  prevent  it  from  being  easily  extracted.  Hence: 
  Anything  which  stands  out  with  a  sharp  point  obliquely  or 
  crosswise  to  something  else.  ``Having  two  barbs  or 
  points.''  --Ascham. 
 
  5.  A  bit  for  a  horse.  [Obs.]  --Spenser. 
 
  6.  (Zo["o]l.)  One  of  the  side  branches  of  a  feather,  which 
  collectively  constitute  the  vane.  See  {Feather}. 
 
  7.  (Zo["o]l.)  A  southern  name  for  the  kingfishes  of  the 
  eastern  and  southeastern  coasts  of  the  United  States;  -- 
  also  improperly  called  {whiting}. 
 
  8.  (Bot.)  A  hair  or  bristle  ending  in  a  double  hook. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Barbel  \Bar"bel\,  n.[OE.  barbel,  F.  barbeau,  dim.  of  L.  barbus 
  barbel,  fr  barba  beard.  See  1st  {Barb}.] 
  1.  (Zo["o]l.)  A  slender  tactile  organ  on  the  lips  of  certain 
  fished. 
 
  2.  (Zo["o]l.)  A  large  fresh-water  fish  (  Barbus  vulgaris) 
  found  in  many  European  rivers.  Its  upper  jaw  is  furnished 
  with  four  barbels. 
 
  3.  pl  Barbs  or  paps  under  the  tongued  of  horses  and  cattle. 
  See  1st  {Barb},  3. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  barbel 
  n  :  slender  tactile  process  on  the  jaws  of  a  fish  [syn:  {feeler}] 




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