Lexic.us

Definition of Barbary

1. Noun. A region of northern Africa on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Gibraltar; was used as a base for pirates from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Definition of Barbary

1. n. The countries on the north coast of Africa from Egypt to the Atlantic. Hence: A Barbary horse; a barb. [Obs.] Also, a kind of pigeon.

Definition of Barbary

1. Proper noun. The Mediterranean coastal areas of North Africa that were used as a base by pirates in the 16th to 19th centuries. ¹

2. Adjective. barbarian; non-Christian ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Barbary

1. The countries on the north coast of Africa from Egypt to the Atlantic. Hence: A Barbary horse; a barb. Also, a kind of pigeon. Barbary ape, an ape (Macacus innus) of north Africa and Gibraltar Rock, being the only monkey inhabiting Europe. It is very commonly trained by showmen. Origin: Fr. Ar. Barbar the people of Barbary. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Barbary

Literary usage of Barbary

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography by Historical Society of Pennsylvania (1877)
"'Diplomacy in THE shores of barbary have provided historic grounds of conflict ... On the southern shores of the Mediterranean sprawled the four barbary ..."

2. The New Larned History for Ready Reference, Reading and Research: The Actual by Josephus Nelson Larned, Augustus Hunt Shearer (1922)
"See AIX-LA-CHAPELLE: Congresses of: 1818; barbary STATES; and FREEDOM OF THE ... barbary STATES—The expression "Bar- bary States" has for a long time been ..."

3. A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in by John Pinkerton (1814)
"For if we liften to the Moors' language, barbary ... why this country bears the name of barbary, may be taken from the frame and ..."

4. The American Monthly Magazine by Nathaniel Parker Willis (1829)
"BLACK barbary. THE eastern gray is blending fast With orange on the mountain ... I'll saddle soon black barbary. My beauteous mare! whose bounding speed Has ..."

5. Europe in Africa in the Nineteenth Century by Elizabeth Wormeley Latimer (1895)
"THE Moors of barbary have given to European languages the adjectives ... Not that piracy in the Mediterranean originated with the Moors of barbary. ..."

6. Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856: From Gales and by United States Congress, Thomas Hart Benton (1856)
"Protection against the barbary ... commerce and seamen of the United States t the barbary Powers. ..."

7. The Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States of America: From the by United States Dept. of State (1837)
"... are inserted here, because they serve to shew in one point of view all the transactions respecting the barbary Powers, and because they were made use of ..."

Other Resources: