Barbarian

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /bɑː(ɹ).ˈbeÉ™(ɹ).i.É™n/
• US IPA: /bɑɹ.ˈbeɹ.i.É™n/

Origin

From Middle English, from Medieval Latin barbarinus ("Berber, pagan, Saracen, barbarian"), from Latin barbaria ("foreign country"), from barbarus ("foreigner, savage"), from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (barbaros, "foreign, non-Greek, strange"), onomatopoeic (mimicking foreign languages, akin to 'blah', 'blah'), cognate to Sanskrit बर्बर (barbara, "barbarian, non-Aryan, stammering, blockhead").

Full definition of barbarian

Adjective

1. Relating to people, countries or customs perceived as uncivilized or inferior.

Synonyms

• barbaric
• barbarous

Noun

1. An uncivilized or uncultured person, originally compared to the hellenistic Greco-Roman civilisation; often associated with fighting or other such shows of strength.
2. (derogatory) Someone from a developing country or backward culture.
3. A warrior, clad in fur or leather, associated with sword and sorcery stories.
4. (derogatory) A person destitute of culture; a Philistine.
5. A cruel, savage, brutal person; one without pity or humanity.
• PhilipsThou fell barbarian.

Related terms

• barbarism
• barbarity
• barbarize