barb
UK: bɑːb | US: bɑːrb
n. 1. A sharp projection extending backward (as on an arrow or fishhook) to prevent easy extraction.
n. 2. A biting or pointedly critical remark.
n. 3. A beard-like growth or appendage (e.g., on certain plants or animals).
The word "barb" traces back to Latin barba, meaning "beard," reflecting its original association with hair-like projections. Over time, it evolved to describe hooked or pointed structures (e.g., arrow barbs) due to their resemblance to coarse, protruding hairs. The metaphorical extension to "sharp criticism" emerged from the idea of words "hooking" or stinging like physical barbs.
The fishhook’s barb made it difficult to remove from the catch.
Her comment carried a subtle barb aimed at his incompetence.
The plant’s stems are covered in tiny barbs.
Medieval arrows often featured barbs to inflict worse wounds.
He ignored the barb in her otherwise polite email.