barbel

[ bahr-buhl ]

noun

1. a slender, external process on the jaw or other part of the head of certain fishes.
2. any of various cyprinoid fishes of the genus Barbus, especially B. barbus, of European waters.

barbel

/ ˈbɑːbəl /

noun

1. any of several slender tactile spines or bristles that hang from the jaws of certain fishes, such as the catfish and carp
2. any of several European cyprinid fishes of the genus Barbus , esp B. barbus , that resemble the carp but have a longer body and pointed snout

barbel

/ bär′bəl /

1. A slender, whiskerlike feeler extending from the head of certain fish, such as the catfish. It is used for touch and taste.

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbel¹

1400–1450; late Middle English barbell < Middle French barbel ( French barbeau ) < Vulgar Latin *barbellus, equivalent to Late Latin barb ( us ) a barbel (fish) (akin to Latin barba beard ) + Latin -ellus -elle

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbel¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin barbus , from barba beard

Example Sentences

As she grows, her eyes recede, and she blossoms huge teeth, rows of light-producing organs lining the body, and a barbel, a whisker-like chin projection.

From National Geographic

Dragonfish have “luminous barbels swinging from their chins”; a Pacific sleeper shark possesses “a body as brindled as old granite.”

From Scientific American

There were also "quite a few" larger dead specimens including chub, barbel and brown trout that had been seen.

From BBC

At Dianchi authorities are also trying to reintroduce more golden line barbel, a fish native to the lake almost wiped out by pollution and invasive species.

From Reuters

Catfish are aquatic animals known for their barbels that look like whiskers around their lips.

From Los Angeles Times