Definition of BARBEL

barbel

Meanings

Plural: barbels

Noun

  • slender tactile process on the jaws of a fish
  • A freshwater fish of the genus Barbus or other closely related genera.
  • Whisker-like sensory organs, located around the mouth of certain fish, including catfish, carp, goatfish, sturgeon, and some types of shark.
  • A barb or pap under the tongues of horses and cattle.

Origin / Etymology

PIE word
*bʰardʰéh₂
From Middle English barbel, from Old French barbel, from Vulgar Latin *barbellus, from Late Latin barbulus, diminutive of Latin barbus.

Synonyms

feeler

Scrabble Score: 10

barbel is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
barbel is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
barbel is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

barbel is a valid Words With Friends word