# barber

Pronunciation: US say "BAR-bur" /ˈbɑɹ.bɚ/; UK say "BAH-buh" /ˈbɑː.bə/

## Noun

1. A person who cuts hair and trims or shaves beards as a trade, usually for male customers.
   - Simple: Someone whose job is cutting hair and trimming beards, usually for men.
   - _The barber recommended a shorter style for the summer heat._
   - _Many barbers still offer a hot-towel shave as part of the service._
3. A storm carrying driving ice spicules formed from sea water, especially one on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, named for the cutting ice. *(Canada)*
   - Simple: A winter sea storm that throws sharp, cutting bits of ice through the air.
   - _The barber lashed the harbor with ice spicules sharp enough to sting exposed skin._
   - _Sailors in the gulf dreaded a winter barber more than heavy snow._
4. A foot soldier serving as a barber surgeon, who specialized in treating injuries sustained in battle.
   - Simple: A foot soldier who also treated wounds during battle in older times.
   - _The wounded sergeant was carried to the barber for stitching._
   - _A barber moved among the fallen, binding wounds with whatever cloth he had._

## Verb

2. To give someone a haircut or trim their beard.
   - Simple: To cut and trim someone's hair or beard.
   - _Skilled workers barber clients quickly during the morning rush._
   - _The old man barbered his grandson's hair out on the porch._
5. To chatter or talk idly.
   - Simple: To chat or talk on and on, often about small things.
   - _The regulars barber away at the diner counter every morning._
   - _He barbered with the neighbors until well past midnight._

## Origin

From Middle English barbour, borrowed from Anglo-Norman barbour and Old French barbeor, which comes from barbe ("beard"), from Latin barba.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/barber (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).