barb
noun/bɑːb/
/bɑːrb/
- the point of an arrow or a hook that is curved backwards to make it difficult to pull out
- a remark that is meant to hurt somebody’s feelings
- The accusation that she did not trust him was a barb that hurt more than she wanted to admit.
Word OriginMiddle English (denoting a piece of linen worn over or under the chin by nuns): from Old French barbe, from Latin barba ‘beard’.
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barb