1. (in zoology) Any one of the stiff filaments forming a row on each side of the longitudinal shaft of a feather (see illustration). Together the barbs form the expanded part (vane) of the feather. See barbule.
2. (in botany) A hooked hair.
Interlocking barbs of a contour feather
- Albert of Saxony (1360–90)
- Albert, Prince (1819–61)
- Albert the Great (c.1200–80)
- Albian
- albic
- Albigensians
- albinism
- Albireo
- albite
- albite twin
- albite–epidote–amphibolite facies
- albitization
- albumen
- albumin
- albuminous cell
- Albuquerque, Alfonso de (1453–1515)
- alburnum
- Alcazarquivir
- alchemy
- Alcibiades (c.450–404 bc)
- Alcinous (2nd)
- Alcmaeon
- Alcmaeon of Croton (5th)
- alcohol
- alcohol, geographies of