Barbed Wire
/bɑːrbd waɪər/noun
A type of wire with sharp points or edges designed to deter animals and people from crossing boundaries.
Did you know?Originally invented in the late 19th century, barbed wire was not just a tool for fencing, but also a key element in the creation of the American frontier, marking territory and control.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“to carry, to bring”
Latin
Latin
barba
“beard, bristle”
Old French
Old French
barbe
“beard, hence thorny or prickly”
19th Century
English
barbed wire
“wire with sharp points used for fencing or protection”