barbel

Definition

A freshwater fish of the genus Barbus or other closely related genera.

Etymology

PIE word *bʰardʰéh₂ From Middle English barbel, from Old French barbel, from Vulgar Latin *barbellus, from Late Latin barbulus, diminutive of Latin barbus. By surface analysis, barb (“sharp, extruding structure”) + -el (diminutive suffix).

Example Sentences

• "The Barble fishes, if one of them chance to be engaged, will set the line against their backes, and with a fin they have, toothed like a sharp saw, presently saw and fret the same asunder."