barbarous
UK: ˈbɑːbərəs | US: ˈbɑːrbərəs
adj. cruel, savage, or primitive in behavior or nature
adj. lacking refinement or culture; uncivilized
adj. (archaic) foreign or unfamiliar in a way perceived as harsh
barbarous = barbar<foreign/uncivilized> + ous<adjective suffix>
- barbar: From Greek barbaros, meaning "foreign, strange, or uncivilized." The Greeks mimicked the speech of non-Greek speakers as "bar-bar," likening it to unintelligible noise.
- ous: A suffix forming adjectives, indicating possession or quality (e.g., "dangerous," "famous").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to ancient Greek prejudice against non-Greek speakers, whose languages sounded like "bar-bar" to Greek ears. Over time, barbaros evolved in Latin (barbarus) to imply cruelty or lack of civilization, a meaning retained in English. The suffix -ous standardizes it as an adjective, emphasizing the trait of being uncivilized or brutal.
The invaders were accused of barbarous acts against the villagers.
His barbarous manners shocked the refined guests at the dinner party.
Colonial explorers often dismissed indigenous cultures as barbarous.
The dictator’s barbarous regime suppressed all dissent.
In medieval Europe, outsiders were sometimes labeled barbarous.