Barbed
/bɑːrbd/noun
Having sharp points or edges that project backward, typically used to catch or hold.
Did you know?The term 'barbed' is rooted in Latin, where 'barba' means 'beard', signifying the pointed projection of a beard that resembles a sharp hook.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰerǵʰ-
“to stick, pierce”
Latin
Latin
barba
“beard, projecting point”
Old French
Old French
barbe
“beard, spiked point”
Middle English
Middle English
barbed
“having a beard or pointed projection”
Modern English
English
barbed
“having sharp points or edges that project backward”