the point of an arrow or a hook that is curved backwards to make it difficult to pull out （箭、钩的）倒钩，倒刺 a remark that is meant to hurt somebody’s feelings 挖苦（或伤人、带刺）的话 The accusation that she did not trust him was a barb that hurt more than she wanted to admit. 指责她不信任他是一种讽刺，比她想承认的更伤人。
Word OriginMiddle English (denoting a piece of linen worn over or under the chin by nuns): from Old French barbe, from Latin barba ‘beard’.