First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1barbel
noun bar·bel \ˈbär-bəl\
Definition of BARBEL
: a European freshwater cyprinid fish (Barbus barbus) with four barbels on its upper jaw; also : any of various closely related fishes
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Origin of BARBEL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *barbellus, diminutive of Latin barbus barbel, from barba beard — more at beard
2barbel
noun
Definition of BARBEL
: a slender tactile process on the lips of certain fishes (as catfishes)
Origin of BARBEL
obsolete French, from Middle French, diminutive of barbe barb, beard
First Known Use: 1601
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