[a. F. barbe, f. Barbarie. (Also called a BARBARY.)] Occas. attrib.
1. A horse of the breed imported from Barbary and Morocco, noted for great speed and endurance.
1636. Healey, Theophrast., xxiii. 82. Barbes, Jennets, and other horses of price.
1735. Somerville, Chase, III. 387. He reins his docile Barb with manly Grace.
1796. Scott, Will. & Helen, xxxii. Upon my black barb steed.
1823. Lockhart, Sp. Ball., Calaymos, xxi. Loudly … his mailed barb did neigh.
2. A fancy variety of pigeon, of black or dun color, originally introduced from Barbary.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Pigeon, Many sorts of pigeons, such as … nuns, tumblers, Barbs.
1859. Darwin, Orig. Spec., i. 16. The barb … instead of a long beak, has a very short and broad one. Ibid., 19. Mongrel barb-fantails.
