barb

/bɑ:b/

Friendly

Explanation of the Word "Barb"

Part of Speech: Noun and Verb

Academic

Noun

1. one of the parallel filaments projecting from the main shaft of a feather
2. a subsidiary point facing opposite from the main point that makes an arrowhead or spear hard to remove
3. the pointed part of barbed wire
4. an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
   • his parting shot was `drop dead'
   • she threw shafts of sarcasm
   • she takes a dig at me every chance she gets

Verb

1. provide with barbs
   • barbed wire

Synonyms

• shot
• shaft
• slam
• dig
• jibe
• gibe