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Barbel: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŸ
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barbel

 

[ หˆbษ‘หbษ™l ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

fish anatomy

A slender tactile organ growing on the face or head of certain fish, such as catfish or carp. Barbels are used to detect food in murky waters.

Synonyms

feelers, whisker.

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Word Description / Examples
barbel

Typically used to refer to the whisker-like sensory organs near the mouths of certain fish, such as catfish or carp.

  • The catfish uses its barbel to detect food in murky water.
  • Carp are known for their distinctive barbel on either side of their mouths.
whisker

Most often used to describe the long, tactile hairs on the faces of mammals, such as cats or rats.

  • The cat's whiskers twitched as it sensed movement nearby.
  • Rats use their whiskers to feel their way in the dark.
feelers

Generally used to describe sensory appendages of insects, such as antennae, which are used for touch or smell.

  • The ant used its feelers to navigate its surroundings.
  • Butterflies have long feelers to sense the world around them.

Examples of usage

  • The catfish uses its barbels to search for food in the muddy river bottom.
  • The carp relies on its barbels to locate prey in the dark waters.
Context #2 | Noun

zoology

A slender filamentous appendage near the mouth of certain insects, such as some beetles, used for sensory perception.

Examples of usage

  • The beetle's barbel helps it to sense its environment and locate food sources.
  • The insect's barbel is highly sensitive to vibrations in the air.

Translations

Translations of the word "barbel" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น barbo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคฐเฅเคฌเคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Barbe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ leli (ikan lele)

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒัƒัะฐั‡

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ brzana

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใƒผใƒ™ใƒซ (bฤberu)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท barbeau

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ barbo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท barbel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐ”๋ฒจ (babel)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณู…ูƒ ุงู„ุดุจูˆุท ุงู„ู†ู‡ุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ parma

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mrena

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ฒ‡้ฑผ (niรกnyรบ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mrena

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ karlfiskur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐะปั‹า›ั‚ั‹าฃ ั‚าฏั€ั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒ แƒ‘แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ barbel

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ barbo

Etymology

The word 'barbel' originated from the Middle English 'barbel' or 'barbelle', which ultimately came from the Old French 'barbel' meaning 'a small beard'. This reflects the appearance of the fish's tactile organs resembling whiskers or small beards.

See also: bar, barb, barge, baron, barred, barrel, barrier, bars, rebar.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,640 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.