barbarian

/bɑ:'beəriən/

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Word: Barbarian

Part of Speech: Noun and Adjective

Simple Explanation:

• As a noun, a "barbarian" refers to a person who belongs to a group that is considered uncivilized or lacking culture and refinement.
• As an adjective, it describes actions, practices, or people that are savage, uncivilized, or brutal.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "barbarian" to talk about historical groups that invaded civilizations (like the Barbarians who invaded Rome), or to describe someone who behaves in a very rude or uncultured way.

Examples:

1. Noun: "In ancient times, the Romans saw the Germanic tribes as barbarians."
2. Adjective: "The barbarian practices of the tribe shocked the explorers."

Advanced Usage:

• In literature and discussions, "barbarian" can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who does not follow social norms or behaves in a very aggressive manner.
• Example: "His barbarian attitude during the debate offended many."

Word Variants:

• Barbaric (adjective): This word means extremely cruel or brutal.
  • Example: "The barbaric treatment of prisoners was condemned by human rights organizations."
• Barbarism (noun): This refers to the absence of culture and civilization, or acts that are very cruel and violent.
  • Example: "The war led to acts of barbarism that shocked the world."

Different Meanings:

• Historically, "barbarian" often referred to non-Greek and non-Roman peoples. In modern usage, it can also imply someone who is very primitive or lacking in cultural refinement.

Synonyms:

• Savage
• Primitive
• Uncivilized
• Crude
• Rough

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly use "barbarian," you might encounter phrases like "barbaric behavior" or "barbaric practices" to describe actions that are cruel or uncivilized.

Conclusion:

Understanding the word "barbarian" helps to describe not just people from the past but also behaviors and actions in modern contexts.

Academic

Adjective

1. without civilizing influences
   • barbarian invaders
   • barbaric practices
   • a savage people
   • fighting is crude and uncivilized especially if the weapons are efficient-Margaret Meade
   • wild tribes

Noun

1. a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
2. a member of an uncivilized people

Synonyms

• barbaric
• savage
• uncivilized
• uncivilised
• wild
• peasant
• boor
• churl
• Goth
• tyke
• tike