Barbel

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbɑːbÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)bÉ™l

Alternative forms

• barble

Origin

From Old French barbel.

Full definition of barbel

Noun

1. A freshwater fish of the genus Barbus.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.12:The Barble fishes, if one of them chance to be engaged, will set the line against their backes, and with a fin they have, toothed like a sharp saw, presently saw and fret the same asunder.
2. (biology) Whisker-like sensory organs, located around the mouth of certain fish, including catfish, carp, goatfish, sturgeon, and some types of shark.
3. A barb or pap under the tongues of horses and cattle.

Anagrams

• rabble